The Minister for Justice has held a private meeting with Mairia Cahill this evening.

It is believed the two met for around an hour to discuss the possibility of a cross-border inquiry into sexual abuse.

It is also understood that the meeting was held at Ms Cahill's request.

Earlier the Taoiseach's spokesman said it was "untenable" for Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams to say he had no knowledge of any abusers being moved across the border with Northern Ireland.