Andrews: Victims’ memorial one of the first priorities

THE Minister for Children Barry Andrews has said one of the first priorities of the Government in the wake of the damning Ryan report will be to examine a memorial for the victims of abuse.

The issue of a commemoration that would publicly acknowledge victims’ experiences will be one of the top concerns at the special cabinet meeting on the report this evening, Barry Andrews indicated.

Ministers will also discuss concerns that religious orders should contribute more than the agreed €128 million to the compensation deal. But amid the fallout from the Child Abuse Commission report, Mr Andrews said a pressing matter would be the commission’s recommendation for some type of public commemoration.