At all times, concern for the victims had priority in the Government's considerations. In addition to concern for the victims, it was pointed out that, from a legal perspective, because much of the congregations' property is tied up in trusts, it could not have been taken, even by the courts. As the Tánaiste said last week, everything was guided by the desire to do right by the victims. There was concern in many quarters about the potential financial exposure to the State, and the Attorney General demonstrated his diligence in this regard as well. Ultimately, the overriding concern was to provide effective and speedy redress to the victims. In such circumstances, it is ironic that other parties are so critical when in power they stood by and did nothing.