Lifting the veil on orders’ €500m redress bill battle

THE fight between the Government and 18 religious orders over a €500 million point of principle has been laid bare for the first time.

The critical issue, which is no closer to being resolved, is the Government’s insistence that 50% of a €1.5bn redress bill should be met by the congregations responsible for running institutions probed by the Ryan Report.

A €127m contribution was agreed under a 2001 indemnity deal. Further offers were made in 2009.