Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his reply. Will he also take cognisance of the response of Irish citizens in the diocese of Ferns to the request by the diocese to contribute towards the costs incurred by the diocese with regard to child abuse? Will he recognise that, politically, it would be in the interest of all parties concerned, the citizens of this republic and the teaching orders, that a due and generous response be made? Teaching orders will continue to teach and schools will remain as they are. The decision to change patronage will rest with the existing patrons, not anybody else. However, the public will see that a generous response has been made in order to meet at least half the cost of the €1.3 billion that taxpayers have paid out in compensation to victims.

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