Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

The Government has been considering the report of the panel appointed to assess the statements of resources submitted by the 18 religious congregations that were party to the 2002 indemnity agreement, together with the offers of contributions from the congregations following the call for them to make further substantial contributions by way of reparation in view of the Ryan report. From the outset, the Government has made clear that these contributions need to be capable of being assessed by the public for their significance by reference to the full resources available to the congregations and in the context of the costs of well in excess of €1 billion incurred by the State. In this context, the panel was appointed to assess the statements of resources submitted by the congregations and report to Government as to the adequacy of these statements as a basis for assessing the congregations' resources. It is expected to publish the panel's report and details of the offers from the congregations before Easter. In advance of publication it is proposed to meet representatives of the former residents and with the congregations.

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