Taoiseach to hold talks with abuse victims and religious orders

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is to hold talks with victims groups and religious orders next week following the publication of the Ryan Report on Child Abuse.

The invitations were issued to the respective parties last night.

Support groups including Ashlinn and Survivors of Child Abuse will meet with Mr Cowen on Wednesday, while the orders will attend a similar meeting the next day.

It follows a statement by the 18 congregations, whose members abused children in state-run institutions, that they want to "explore the most effective and most appropriate ongoing response to former residents" with the Taoiseach.

They also stated their determination to meet with generosity and ongoing commitment the challenges they face.