Former counsel to the Ferns clerical sex abuse inquiry Mr Sean Ryan SC is to replace Ms Justice Mary Laffoy as the chair of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse.
Mr Ryan will be appointed a High Court judge if legislation to be introduced by the Government is passed. The legislation will lead to further judicial appointments to the High Court.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey. He said Mr Ryan should be appointed to the High Court to bring him in line with Ms Laffoy's status.
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"As a Judge of the High Court Mr Ryan will be separate and independent of the executive and legislature. In making Mr Ryan a judge the integrity of the independence of the chairperson will be maintained," Mr Dempsey said.
Mr Ryan was called to the Bar in 1972 and has served as a Senior Counsel since 1983. He chaired the Compensation Advisory Committee, which prepared guidelines on compensation to be paid to claimants to the Residential Institutions Redress Board.
He has been asked to immediately begin a review of the Child abuse commission to completed with eight weeks.
The review will examine of the workings of the Commission which Minster Dempsey believes in its current could cost as much as €200 million and take over ten years to complete.
He mooted the idea of taking sample cases rather than have the commission examine all allegations but under pressure from victims groups he yesterday agreed to abandon the proposal.
Mr Ryan's review will look at addressing the costs and duration issue while maintaining a system that meets the interests of the victims. His task will be difficult but increased co-operation from the Department of Education will be key to his success.
Ms Laffoy resigned because she felt her efforts were being stymied by a lack of resources and co-operation. The Taoiseach agreed that not enough was being doen to assist the inquiry.
Mr Dempsey today gave an assurance Government departments would give Mr Ryan every assistance and gave assurance to victims that work of the Commission will "assist survivors in finding closure in a timely manner".
Should Mr Ryan's review call for amendments to the legislation governing his inquiry, the Minister said it would be considered.
There is to be a three-hour debate in the Dáil next Wednesday on the matter.