Religious orders agree to engage with Govt

A number of religious orders whose members abused children in care institutions have agreed to engage with the Government about contributing more to victims.

The Christian Brothers, the Presentation Brothers, the Oblate Order and the Sisters of St Clare have all indicated a willingness to provide more resources to victims.

The Good Shepherd Sisters and the Sisters of Mercy have stopped short of offering more money, but have indicated that will discuss the matter with the Government.

Yesterday, the Taoiseach called on the orders involved in institutional child abuse to make a further "voluntary" contribution to abuse victims.

However, speaking in the Dáil this morning, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the contribution should be mandatory.

Green Party leader John Gormley, meanwhile, has said the Government may be forced to consider legislative means to establish the value of the assets held by religious orders if the orders themselves are not open and transparent about their resources.

Elsewhere, the Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan, has promised that the State will hold a series of meetings with abuse victims to hear their views on how the recommendations of the Child Abuse Commission should be implemented.