Taoiseach demands orders to pay more

THE Government has demanded that the religious orders “substantially” increase their contribution to compensate victims of institutional abuse.

Speaking following a special two-hour cabinet meeting last night, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said last week’s Ryan Report had found “a much more systemic volume of abuse in institutions than was previously known or accepted by the orders”.

“The Government has therefore decided to call on the relevant congregations to provide a substantial additional contribution in view of the moral responsibility they continue to hold in these matters,” he said.