The recent publication of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report reveals conclusively what most of us have suspected for some time, that the Government botched its much hyped deal with the religious organisations. It is beyond belief that the Government withheld support from the Laffoy commission and dictated that additional staff be recruited on short-term contracts while, at the same time, it indemnified religious orders at a cost to the taxpayer that could yet reach €1 billion. The Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, stated that the objective of the review of the commission was to address the issue of costs, with no mention of the need for the commission to work on behalf of the victims of abuse. Contrast this with the Government deal with the religious organisations that exposed the State to potentially enormous liability.