The High Court has listed for mention next month the request referred to it by Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern asking it to decide whether the report on abuse of children in the Dublin Diocese can be published in full.
Mr Ahern last week referred the report to the court under the Commission of Investigation Act ( Dublin Diocese report) to seek clarification on a number of matters.
It is understood that of the 46 priests investigated by the commission, a total of 15 have been named. Eleven of these are convicted child abusers, and the names of the other four are already in the public domain.
Legal obstacles to publication of the report have arisen in the form of criminal proceedings against three individuals named in the report. There is concern that their trials might be prejudiced should the Dublin report be published in full and without alteration.
Under the law, Mr Ahern must seek directions from the High Court if there are concerns about the impact of publishing findings ahead of any legal proceedings.
The High Court has listed the matter for mention on Tuesday, September 8th, the Courts Service confirmed today.
If the High Court finds that releasing the report could prejudice any criminal proceedings, it can order the publication of part or all of the findings be withheld until court cases are completed.
The Archdiocese has confirmed up to 450 people have made abuse allegations against former priests since 1940.