Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The Taoiseach has outlined the various meetings that have taken place over the past year and a half which come under the heading of structured dialogue with the churches. These meetings do not appear to be any more frequent or extensive than the normal type of periodic meeting that would take place between church leaders and Government. Where does the structured dialogue - as it is called - differ from the normal discussions that would take place anyway between churches and Government? The Taoiseach indicated the structured dialogue process is now more than three years in existence. What is the agenda, or is there an agenda, for the dialogue and what is the end point, if there is one, envisaged as part of this dialogue?

What discussions has the Taoiseach had with the religious congregations in respect of the contribution they will make to the redress for institutional child abuse? He had a meeting on 15 April with religious congregations and survivors of child abuse. I sought to question him about that meeting, but he transferred the question to the Minister for Education and Skills, who confirmed it is the Government's objective to secure a 50:50 share of the €1.36 billion total compensation that arises from the residential institutional abuse. The most recent reply I received from the Minister informed me that officials would now engage with each of the congregations with regard to their current offers and to how the objective of a 50:50 sharing of the overall costs would be achieved, and that there would be further consultation with the congregations and with the survivors and their representatives about how the fund would be used. When does the Taoiseach expect agreement on this or can he update the House on whether agreement has been reached on the 50:50 share? What consultations are taking place with the congregations and the former residents on how those moneys will be put to use?

See this speech in context