Today's move by Government stems from allegations of historic sexual abuse at Blackrock College in Dublin.

The allegations first came into the public domain with the release of an RTÉ Doc on One programme, 'Blackrock Boys'.

It featured brothers Mark and David Ryan, who told their harrowing stories of repeated sexual abuse at the school in south Dublin.

Following its broadcast, many other students contacted RTÉ's Liveline programme to talk about what happened to them.

Within a week, 233 men had joined the Ryan brothers in making allegations of historic abuse against members of the Spiritan congregation who co-run Blackrock College as well as other schools run by other religious congregations.

Mark Ryan died suddenly in London aged 62, suffering a suspected heart attack.

His brother David said it was a huge shock.

"Mark and I never really talked before. But since the Doc on One, we just got closer and closer. He stood by me, so caring and loving. It's such a loss. He did everything for me. He was my rock. A rock," he said.