Commission will conclude in four years, says minister

EDUCATION Minister Noel Dempsey predicted yesterday that a revamped Commission into Child Abuse will complete its work within four years.

Outlining the Government's controversial proposals to change the remit of the Commission, Mr Dempsey also revealed that the Cabinet had already identified its choice as chairperson to succeed Justice Mary Laffoy and steps were "in train" to approach that person. He would not be drawn on the identity of the replacement, or whether it was a judge.

Rattled by the latest controversies to hit his Cabinet, the Taoiseach appealed to his party to back the Government and chastised backbenchers who criticised ministers' performances. Speaking at Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting in Sligo, Mr Ahern told TD and senators to keep their "heads up" and reassured them that the economy was still performing strongly.