Clarity on abuse allegations sought

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has been called on to clarify his knowledge of how sexual abuse allegations in the south east were handled.

Mr Noonan was minister for health in the Rainbow Government between 1994 and 1997, when concerns were brought to him by a former chairman of the South Eastern Health Board.

The Government has established a Commission of Investigation into the mishandling of abuse allegations in the south east, following a series of reports in the Irish Examiner.