The Minister for Justice is considering establishing a statutory national inquiry to investigate all clerical sex abuse allegations following the recent Prime Time revelations.
It is understood that the Minister hopes to be in a position to bring proposals for a national inquiry, which would require legislation, before the cabinet in the next two weeks.
Mr McDowell is looking at various options open to him. But sources said last night he has ruled out the possibility of putting the Hussey inquiry on to a statutory footing, and widening its brief into a nationwide one.
Yesterday, Mr McDowell met with the Survivors of Child Abuse group (SOCA), and the Rape Crisis Centre as part of his deliberations. The spokesman for SOCA, Mr John Kelly, said the group was very encouraged by assurances given to it by the Minister that the State would not be subservient in its tackling of the clerical sex abuse issue.
"We told the Minister that the perception out there is that Rome is ruling," he said. "If it was anyone else, there would have been people under arrest and documents seized long ago." The SOCA committee put forward several proposals to the Minister during their 45-minute hearing.
They asked for the establishment of a national statutory inquiry into child abuse to encompass the Laffoy, Hussey and Ferns inquiries, and any future scandals that may arise.
They said gardaí must be given powers to secure all documents retained by any church body in the State, and that the charitable status enjoyed by the Catholic Church and its religious orders should be taken away if they are found not to be co-operating with inquiries.
SOCA also told the Minister that victims must have an absolute right to secure unfettered access to documents, statements or admissions on the establishment of a national statutory inquiry.
Mr Kelly told a press conference that Mr McDowell agreed there would have to be strong penalties for those who did not co-operate and comply with an inquiry.
"We were very impressed with the Minister. He does not seem to be daunted by the task ahead and he is very serious about tackling this. He is not afraid how high up in the church this might go."
Mr Kelly said Mr McDowell told the group the Laffoy commission into child abuse was more or less stagnant and was having difficulty getting co-operation from the church.
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said last night the Minister hoped to be able to make an announcement on an inquiry in weeks.
Meanwhile, SOCA is to picket main churches in Dublin, Cork and Limerick on November 24th, while appealing to people not to put money on plates or into church envelopes that week.