The state will pay more than €41 million to cover the legal costs of the religious orders who dealt with the Ryan Commission inquiry.Under a deal with the state in 2002, the religious orders were granted indemnity against all future claims arising out of abuse at industrial schools and reformatories.
The Ryan report, published last week, detailed systemic abuse of thousands of children in residential institutions.
The Sunday Business Post has learned that accountants for the commission have agreed legal bills for the Rosminian Order, the Sisters of Mercy, the Good Shepherd Sisters and the Patrician Order.
They have yet to finalise some of the major legal bills, such as those of the Christian Brothers.
Out of €61 million in costs paid by the Ryan Commission to date, €7 million has gone on legal bills for the orders.
Of the remaining €36 million expected to conclude the commission’s costs, €33 million has been earmarked to pay solicitors and barristers hired by the orders.
The religious congregations agreed to hand over €80 million in properties to the state in the 2002 indemnity deal. So far the total value of the 26 properties transfered to the HSE is €18.5 million – the only ones for which valuations are available.
The news will further add to the anger of victims’ support groups, who are already calling for a renegotiation of the controversial indemnity deal.
‘‘The indemnity agreement does not sit comfortably,” said Patrick Walsh of Survivors of Child Abuse, who urged the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, to intervene.
‘‘The agreement, as it stands, is un-Christian and immoral. I think there is a moral imperative [to revisit the scheme].”
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