Joe O'Toole (Independent)

The manner in which this issue has reared up and become so difficult is unfortunate. When we passed legislation some years ago, I recall that there was unanimity in the House, as there should be when approaching this issue. It is unfortunate that this is no longer the case.

The Government may fire shots back across the floor at the Opposition, but I do not believe the Opposition can be blamed – I speak as an Independent – for raising issues which have upset people throughout the country. Whether the Government has acted honourably, correctly or legally and whether it took the advice of the Attorney General at the appropriate time are separate political issues that need be addressed. However, on the broad issue, people are upset by what is happening. I refer not only to victims of abuse, their relations and families but also to ordinary people who are asking how this matter arose. The Government has to take responsibility for it because that is what being in office is about. Therefore, it must accept the criticisms that go with that, whatever they may be. However, it is entitled to state what it regards as unfair criticisms.

There are various decisions to be made, some of a political nature and others of a different nature. I do not understand why the Government does not say to CORI that the process is costing a lot more than anybody expected and that it should be prepared to pay more if the religious institutions have more assets. Let CORI say it will not do so publicly if it wishes. This would be useful for the public to hear. We would like to hear the Government say it wants to discuss the agreement again.

It is grossly unfair to blame the Government for underestimating the costs. However much it underestimated them, I do not believe anybody could have estimated the actual costs at the time the agreement was made. Any reasonable person would say that. It could also be reasonably argued that, because we were unsure, the agreement should have been such that it would have allowed some revisiting of certain matters. This was not done and should be regarded as a mistake. I see nothing wrong with asking CORI to revisit the agreement and it should be done.