Quinn shifts stance in bid to get €500m from orders

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has shifted his negotiating stance in a bid to squeeze an additional €500m worth of redress contributions from the religious orders.

He reiterated his disappointment at the failure of the orders to accept the principal that they should pay 50% of a €1.46bn compensation and investigation bill.

However, he has got cabinet approval for a compromise approach to break a three-year deadlock between the State and the congregations. This is in a bid to overcome an obstacle linked to the ownership of land.