Government ministers today sought to play down claims of a coalition rift over the child abuse inquiry and also moved to assure victims that their allegations will be investigated.
The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, and the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, today defended the controversial Church/State which saw religious orders' contribution the financial redress scheme capped at €127 million.
Ms Harney said the deal was the best that could have been achieved despite her PD colleague and Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, saying his exclusion from negotiations when he was Attorney General was unwise.
Mr McCreevy acknowledged the restitution issue was controversial but reminded and that the coalition was the first in a long line of Governments to deal with it.
When asked to comment on Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell's misgivings about the deal struck by then minister of education, Dr Michael Woods, he said both men had "adequately explained their individual roles".
Earlier in the Dáil, Fine Gael leader Mr Edna Kenny said the issue had exposed a major rift in the coalition.
Labour's education spokeswoman, Ms Jan O'Sullivan expressed concern in the House that victims were confused about what was happening with the commission.
The Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, reassured her that despite the delays and controversies, victims' grievances would be dealt with.
He said he would acceed to Ms O'Sullivan's request for a statement of clarification on the issue. "The legislation is still in place, the chairman-designate is in place and will take over immediately from Ms Justice Laffoy and there will be no difficulties during the transition," Mr Dempsey said.
He said the chairman-designate, Mr Sean Ryan, who is currently conducting an eight-week review of the commission's work, would account for the interests of the abused when coming up with a process that was quicker and more cost-effective than the present system.
