Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I ask for clarification regarding a matter I raised at the outset. I am still not clear regarding the relationship between the Minister of the day and HIQA. For instance, the Minister had said he wanted HIQA to pay particular attention to maternity services in Cavan in addition to the investigation it was already undertaking into the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise. There seems to be a difference between the written communication of 14 May 2014, which was a request, and a formal order. Is there such a distinction? Is there such a situation at present? In her response, Ms Dunnion said the focus on Cavan was only in the context of all 19 maternity units. Although HIQA has taken possession of information on the first three cases, no reports have been published. I had asked when this was done and whether it had been done prior to the preparation of the draft report, because my understanding from inquiries I made was that it had not.