Original scope of child abuse inquiry 'too optimistic'

The Government tonight conceded that its original outlines for a commission of inquiry into child abuse had been too optimistic.

Accepting Justice Seán Ryan’s review of the commission, Education Minister Noel Dempsey promised to implement all of its recommendations, aimed at cutting the timescale and escalating costs of the inquiry.

The review reveals that the total cost could reach over €1bn and deems the initial time estimate of 11 years optimistic.

The minister said it was vital the proposals were taken seriously.

He said the Government might have made an error of judgment when it promised every allegation of child abuse would be heard by the commission.

Justice Ryan succeeded Justice Mary Laffoy as chairman last month when she resigned, accusing the government of failing to adequately resource the commission.

He now warns that costs will continue to rise unless major changes are made.

After three years the inquiry has only managed to investigate a fraction of thousands of allegations of abuse. Most have been against priests and nuns.

The nine-chapter review partly blames legislation surrounding the establishment of the commission in April 2000 for the delays, which Justice Ryan said asked too much.

His report suggests procedural changes and emphasises the need to build trust between all parties.

He proposes that each of the current 1,712 individual complainants should be asked whether he or she wishes to pursue their case through the inquiry process.

They must be given the opportunity to withdraw their complaint without needing the consent of the committee, he said.

Other recommendations include the launch of preliminary investigations which would eliminate cases where there is no realistic prospect of a finding.

Interim reports should continue to be published so the public can follow proceedings and not every victim should automatically be called to give evidence, he said.

Justice Ryan proposed that some cases be grouped together. It may be possible for parties to have the same counsel on both sides to cut down costs.

He also advised the government against controversial plans to limit the inquiry to a sample number of cases, suggested by Mr Dempsey last September.

The report emphasises that the speeding up of the inquiry must not be at the expense of the victims.

While the report suggests that not every case has to be heard, he said the Government was committed to ensuring that all victims were given the opportunity to tell their story.

“The whole tone of the report is to try and facilitate the victims to be heard and to bring conclusion and closure for all of the victims,” he said.

Justice Ryan said it was impossible to say with certainty how much of an impact the proposals will have on the duration of the inquiry or on the overall costs.

But he outlined plans to begin a consultation period with all parties of the committee to take the inquiry to the next stage.

Mr Dempsey welcomed the review, saying it would provide a blueprint for the way forward for the commission.

It is hoped that the review will pave the way for the work of the inquiry to begin again after it was halted on Justice Laffoy’s resignation.