Responsibility for abuse victims is Mr Quinn’s

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn repeats his mantra about the 50/50 redress process asked of religious orders after the Ryan Report was published.

There is no legal basis for a demand for extra money. It was not established by the Ryan Report, yet Mr Quinn implies there is a ‘moral’ responsibility. !Mr Quinn has done nothing for survivors of institutional abuse.

He removed us from his responsibility by establishing the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (put in place by the previous government using the ‘cash element’ of the contributions from the religious congregations). His only meeting with groups such as the Alliance Support Group was on Jul 21, 2011, and then to say that we would no longer be supported by his department. His credibility would be enhanced if he brought closure to the survivors awaiting settlements through the Residential Institutions Redress Board and the courts. Yes, Minister, we can be as exasperated as you appear to be.