State refuses to accept Church land in compo deal

THE Government has refused to accept millions of euro worth of land that the Church wants to include as part of its overall contribution to the compensation scheme for abuse victims.

Environment Minister Noel Dempsey has confirmed that he refused to accept some parcels of land because officials believed it was of no use or benefit to the State.

Under the terms of the deal the Church must pay the State 128, of which €77m is made up of transferred land. While much of this land was contributed by congregations over the last three years, it must hand over tens of millions of euro.

The terms of the deal say the value of the property must be decided by an independent surveyor.

The State is entitled to refuse to accept the land proposed by the Church for up to nine months after it has been offered.

It may do so if it believes the property is of no use and or if its value is in question.

If the Church cannot find enough land to meet its quota, it must make up the shortfall through a cash payment. However, if there is a dispute between the Church and State, both sides will have to refer the matter to the president of the Law Society of Ireland. This decision will be final and binding.

Eight congregations had yet to transfer property to the State when the deal was signed in June, 2002.

These include the Sisters of Mercy, the Christian Brothers, the Institution of Charity (Rosminians), Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Order of St John, Sisters of Charity and the Sisters of Nazareth.

Anger over the State's liability for damages in the compensation deal grew earlier this year when it emerged that the final bill could be in excess of €1 billion. Opposition parties say the Church has escaped lightly and is contributing just a fraction of the overall damages.

The Church's overall €128m contribution includes just €41.14m in cash.

The balance is accounted for by transfers of property already made to the State amounting to 40.3m with further transfers of property amounting to €36.54m to be made "as soon as practicable," according to the text of the deal.

The congregations are also to provide counselling or other support services to the value of €10m.

An opinion poll published in yesterday's Irish Times also indicates that a majority of voters disapprove of the deal between the State and religious orders.

The deal was opposed by 55% of adults, approved by 33%, while 12% have no opinion.

Opposition to the controversial deal with religious orders was strongest among those aged 35 to 49.

Surprisingly, young voters appeared to be the most positive about the deal. Those in every age group, except the youngest 18 to 24 cohort, disapproved of it.

Within this youngest group of voters, 42% approved of the deal, 40% disapproved and 18% have no opinion.