The Government has been called on to clarify what proposals are being considered for a revamped Commission on Child Abuse.
The call has come from Mr Colm O'Gorman, of the One in Four group, following reports that Department of Education officials discussed specific proposals with three survivor groups on Monday. The proposals included one that people accused of abuse could be subpoenaed before the commission's Confidential Committee, where hearings are private.
The Alliance, SOCA (UK), and Right of Place groups were told this proposal would be looked on favourably by religious congregations if elderly and disabled members were excluded and deceased members were not named.
However Brother Edmund Garvey, of the Irish Christian Brothers, has told The Irish Times he was unaware of any such proposal.
It has also emerged that the Department is considering limiting investigations to abuse in reformatories and industrial schools.
This would mean the exclusion of cases from orphanages, day schools, and Magdalen laundries.
Mr O'Gorman said what seemed to be emerging was "an abandonment of any process of inquiry" at the commission. He was "stunned" by the subpoena proposal and he queried its legality in the context.
Mr Mick Waters, of SOCA (UK), also rejected the subpoena proposal. He said members had mandated SOCA (UK) to seek a full investigation for every survivor who wanted it and that remained their position.
However Mr Tom Hayes, of the Alliance group, said his members were enthusiastic about the new Department proposals.
A spokesman for the Right of Place group said they felt similarly. Monday's meeting had been "very, very positive for survivors", he said. He expected "a new beginning" at a meeting the groups will have with the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, next Thursday.