The Government has announced there will be a second phase of a review into the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse.
A previous report into the commission, which was begun last December, has been submitted to the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Dempsey.
The Government ordered the study to see whether the investigations of the Commission could be streamlined to save time and cost. It was estimated that were the Commission to continue with its current remit, it would take between eight and years to complete its inquiry.
The Minister said today there were serious concern that such delays would prejudice the Commission's inquiries, facilitate legal challenges being launched against its determinations and possibly prevent complaints being investigated. He said there were also concerns that legal fees of up to €200 million could be incurred.
Mr Dempsey said the initial review led the Government to decide that further amendments may be required, so a second review was commissioned.
"The Commission is performing a vital task in providing survivors of abuse with an opportunity to recount the abuse they have suffered, to inquire into the widespread abuse that occurred and to report to the public," Mr Dempsey said today.
"However, there is a need for it to complete its work within a reasonable time. Justice delayed is justice denied and this is all the more important where you are dealing with people's lives which have been blighted by past failures of the State.
"One group alone has told me that, since the beginning of this year, 11 of their members have died. We are dealing with tragic circumstances where people simply want an opportunity to tell of their experiences and, in some cases, to inquire into abuse in the institution they were resident in.
The Minister gave a commitment that a draft Bill would be published as soon as the second phase of the review is completed and the judgement in a current High Court case taken by the Christian Brothers is delivered.
He also said the review and subsequent legislation will not limit or reduce the remit of the Commission in investigating "the responsibility of the State, and in particular, the Department of Education and Science, and the roles of the various managerial authorities in respect of the abuse that took place".