ANGRY exchanges punctuated the contribution of former Education Minister Michael Woods in the Dáil discussion of the Ryan Report, after he defended his role in securing the indemnity deal for religious orders. Mr Woods tried to absolve himself of blame and criticised Labour Party members for using the issue for political purposes.
"The deputies are trying to use the victims for political purposes," he said.
The Labour Party reacted angrily. Liz McManus TD said his statements were "outrageous".
Earlier, Labour’s justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte opened the second day of the motion, saying: "It is now established that the ‘Woods deal’ was suspect, and is in any case a lousy deal — morally, legally and politically."
Mr Rabbitte said in 2003, he raised the issue 13 times but was met with "obfuscation, misinformation and downright untruths".
Later, Mr Woods outlined how between May 1999 and June 2002 negotiations with the religious orders broke down on a number of occasions. They were resolved just in time for the general election.
In October 2001, an inter-departmental negotiating team proposed a 50:50 deal with a €127 million cap from the religious orders. This was rejected by CORI.
Six months later, CORI agreed to pay it on condition properties handed over since 1999 were considered.
Mr Woods said the overall compensation estimate had by then risen to €500m. He said in 1998-1999, the Government knew the nature of the abuses but not the extent of the crimes.
He said his main consideration was keeping the process moving quickly.
"Some commentators stated, and still state, that we should have had a full inventory of all the lands, schools, hospitals, care centres and other facilities before accepting the contribution.
"This would have resulted in delay and more pain and suffering for the victims. The scheme was based on taking a no-fault, no-quibble, no-legal context approach," he said.
Fine Gael’s John Perry, chair of the Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry into the deal, cited an undesirable lack of legal involvement or record keeping.
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