Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am not trying to prejudice any investigation, I am trying to deal with the situation where we were promised an investigation and we were told who would head that investigation. In reply to a parliamentary question this week, however, we have been told it is an audit. What hope can any of us have about the sincerity of this Government's claims when it speaks about championing women's health when it has done nothing to address the situation I have outlined today? We have had false promises and misleading information.

We must stop fooling ourselves if we think we are having a real debate about protecting women's lives and health at the moment. A Bill is being introduced today and the Government should stop fooling itself because it is not fooling me or a large majority of the public. Why has the Minister for Health not made a statement on this? The Minister was quick to make statements on the abuses within other State-funded health services, such as nursing homes. Why the silence on this topic at this time, when the Government claims it wants to do its best for women and protect their lives and health? The silence from the HSE since the initial exposé in the Irish Independent of wrongdoing highlights the point I am making. I compliment those who carried out this undercover investigation and Mr. Jim O'Doherty.

We cannot be selective in our concern for women. The Irish public is becoming ever more aware of what is going on and in the interests of democracy the colossal double standards which seem to be underpinning the debate must stop.

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