Successive governments have been unable to hold religious orders responsible for paying redress to victims of sex abuse over the years.

The Government approved the establishment of a commission of investigation into allegations of historical sex abuse in schools across the country.

The Department of Children had asked religious orders to pay €267 million towards the scheme.

Simon Harris said he would work on a cross-party basis on the matter.

Dr Paddy Randles lost patients and faced a backlash from comrades in the medical profession for his stance against the religious orders in corporal punishments

A commission of investigation is to be established to examine historical sexual abuse claims.