The Catholic Church will give records on priests to authorities if they are demanded in an investigation into child sex abuse, the head of the Church's Child Protection Office said today.
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Asked if the Church would hand over all documentation requested by the State, Mr Paul Bailey said: "My understanding and my belief is, yes, that will happen".
The assurance came a day after Archbishop Dr Sean Brady announced an independent audit into the affair. But Dr Brady did not make clear whether all personal files on suspected paedophile priests would be made available to any State investigation.
The National Conference of Priests, which represents the 5,700 priests in Ireland, is meeting this afternoon to discuss the crisis. A statement is expected later today.
Mr Bailey said that Mr George Birmingham SC, appointed by the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, to decide how to proceed with a State inquiry, would be meeting the Church hierarchy within days.
The inquiry follows the resignation last week by the Bishop of Ferns, Dr Brendan Comiskey, amid allegations that he had failed to prevent Wexford priest Fr Sean Fortune from sexually abusing boys in his diocese.
Mr Bailey said the Church's own audit would be undertaken by people of "high professional standing from various disciplines".