Ryan Report orders 'seeking taxpayer bail-out on costs'

The religious orders criticised in the Ryan Report are reportedly seeking to have their legal bills covered by the taxpayer.

The Sunday Tribune reports that the costs could run to €40m.

Meanwhile the religious orders are close to a final agreement with the Government on making further contributions of €100m, along with properties, to the redress scheme.

Fine Gael Senator Eugene Regan said the religious orders should not ask the taxpayer to pay their legal costs, saying: "It may be legally correct that the religious orders have been guaranteed the legal fees by the Government, but is it morally justifiable?"