Laffoy crisis - Commission plan must be made clear

THE Laffoy time bomb is still ticking. Despite its desperate bid to calm the storm and convince victims to accept proposals aimed at defusing the child abuse controversy, the Government is still on the ropes.

Despite a robust defence of the Government's position by Education Minister Noel Dempsey, the unprecedented controversy generated by Ms Justice Mary Laffoy's resignation as chairperson of the commission, shows no sign of abating.

Doubts will persist in the minds of victims as to the bona fides of the Government in relation to the work of a commission investigating the State's dark secrets.

As evidenced by the sense of urgency surrounding yesterday's Cabinet meeting, untold damage has been inflicted on the Coalition by Ms Justice Laffoy's damning criticism of the Government's approach to a commission charged by the Oireachtas with the task of investigating one of the greatest scandals in the history of the State the abuse of generations of children entrusted to the care of religious orders.

In characteristic fashion, Mr Dempsey has dealt in a most robust manner with the five points outlined by Ms Justice Laffoy, leaving little room for doubt that fundamental differences lay between them on how to expedite the work of the commission.

The correspondence shows clearly that relations had become poisonous between the Department of Education and the commission. It remains to be seen if the public will be convinced by the Government's outright rejection of the judge's repeated complaints.

Whether the victims of abuse are willing to endorse future plans for the inquiry is now the acid test. But even as moves were being made to bring them on board last night, deep unease was reiterated by victims over the Coalition's reported intention to examine sample complaints rather than hearing each of the 1,700 outstanding cases.

They have reason to fear such a crude and highly selective approach to such a sensitive and personal issue. Effectively, many victims would feel deprived of the justice they crave, denied an opportunity to recount their harrowing stories after years and decades of silence.

Having apologised to the victims on behalf of the State, the Taoiseach is perceived as telling them their interests must play second fiddle to those of the taxpayer. They can hardly be blamed for feeling that issues such as the cost and duration of the inquiry appear of greater importance than the commission's ultimate findings.

No matter how strongly Mr Dempsey may deny the commission is in limbo, the reality is that the individual investigations have been suspended. Furthermore, it could be extremely difficult to find a new judge to head up the commission.

The difficulties are compounded by the Government's plans to review and severely limit the scope of the commission's work. As it sets about finding a replacement for Ms Justice Laffoy, the political reality is that the Coalition bears collective blame for clouding its transparency and undermining its work. Indeed, the administration has succeeded in undermining it own credibility. It behoves the Government to produce a credible proposal for its future operation.

In the interests of the victims of child abuse, it must state clearly and unequivocally where its priorities lie.