Joan Burton backs religious orders inquiry

A bank inquiry-style Oireachtas investigation is needed to “get to the bottom” of why 18 religious orders have failed to pay hundreds of millions of euro to abuse victims who were meant to benefit from a multi-billion State redress scheme.

Labour’s education spokeswoman and former Tánaiste, Joan Burton, urged the action after the mother and baby homes report publication yesterday and before the State body overseeing the repayments appears before the Dáil’s public accounts committee on the issue tomorrow.

In a five-page formal letter to education committee chair and Fianna Fáil TD Fiona O’Loughlin, Ms Burton said in light of recent revelations over the lack of funds paid over the Oireachtas must now examine the situation.