The Gardaí have confirmed that a representative of Cardinal Desmond Connell handed over the names of 17 suspected paedophile priests and their alleged victims in November 1995.
The meeting took place at the Archbishop’s Residence in Drumcondra in Co Dublin, at the request of the Archbishop’s representatives.
In a statement, gardaí said: "An Garda Siochana then commenced investigations based on the information supplied and discovered that some of those reported were already under Garda investigation."
"As a result of all of these investigations a number of priests were convicted and sentenced by the courts. In some others the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that, as there was insufficient evidence, there should be no prosecutions."
It added: "In a number of other cases the alleged victims did not wish to co-operate with the Garda investigation."
As a result of the garda investigations a number of priests were convicted and sentenced by the courts.
Earlier this evening, the National Conference of Priests, which represents the 5,700 priests in Ireland, called on all victims of clerical abuse to come forward.
In a statement following an extraordinary meeting today, a spokesperson said all victims should now go to the Gardai or the relevant health authorities.
The conference said it was determined that the issue was accepted and received an appropriate response.
"The abuse of children is a dreadful crime and an abuse of trust," they said.
"It is imperative that the Church creates an environment where children are safe," the statement said.