A religious order that ran two Magdalene Laundries told the Government that its decision not to contribute any money to the redress scheme for survivors was based on the findings of the McAleese Report.

The Government, seeking redress for the Magdalene women, found a religious community unwilling to contribute, writes Conall Ó Fátharta.

A Corkwoman has moved a step close to becoming a saint after Pope Francis declared her venerable.

The Government today faced calls to revise its capped compensation scheme for thousands of victims of clerical child abuse.