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

Let us look at what the HSE has to say on its own website about itself and the commitment to what one can expect from the HSE. Under the statement "What you can expect" from the HSE regarding dignity and respect, it states, "We treat people with dignity, respect and compassion". I do not believe any of those could be ticked after listening to the case presented this morning. Under safe and effective services, the HSE claims "We provide services ... in a safe environment, delivered by [competent, skilled and] trusted professionals". It is the case across the HSE and across all the health delivery systems that indeed we have highly competent, skilled and trusted professionals and thank God for it. Members commend them, each and every one, but there are issues here and there are those who clearly are falling down seriously in their responsibility to meet and address issues of what should be shared concern. Under communication and information, the website states, "We listen carefully" while under participation, it states, "We involve people and their families and carers in shared decision making". I have only cited a number of the eight areas, the eighth of which is accountability, where it states, "We welcome your complaints and feedback about care and services". There is no evidence of any welcoming of the feedback on the care and services in these instances.

As for complaints, I do not believe the parents in the circumstances in question were at all met as the HSE states is its policy.

On RTE radio on Sunday, the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, stated parents of babies who died at Portlaoise hospital were "lied to" by people who have been accused of covering up what happened to them. How would Mr. O'Brien respond to the Minister's charge?

For balance, I wish to say I welcomed the circulation last week of Mr. O'Brien's letter of February 2014. I commend him on the action he took and the thrust of the correspondence. It was reported on at the time but I had not seen sight of the construction of the letter. I welcome it very much. Its thrust is absolutely on the button. However, is it not now time to reissue such a communication to all health service staff given that it is evident that a number of staff across the health services are not reaching the high standards Mr. O'Brien himself insisted upon in the communication of 6 February of last year? In light of the evidence of a failure to adhere to the high standards Mr. O'Brien suggests should be the norm across the health services, should such a communication not be accompanied by evidence of enforcement? Are we not now at that point? Will Mr. O'Brien respond accordingly? I fully accept and do not doubt for a moment that the communication reflects Mr. O'Brien's genuine wish for the health services.

There is a significant time lapse before the appointment of an investigation team, reviewer or review panel and this is feeding into a serious lack of confidence. I am speaking quite specifically about maternity services and maternity-related reviews and investigations. The appointment is taking far too much time. Will Mr. O'Brien intervene to insist on these reviews and investigations being conducted not on a part-time basis but on a full-time basis to ensure the earliest possible publication of the findings and recommendations?

With regard to a number of hospitals, specifically Cavan General Hospital, it is a fact 30 months after the tragic death of baby Jamie in November 2012 that we have yet to see a single line published. That is wholly unacceptable to the baby's family and also the wider dependent community. In paying tribute to the overwhelming number of excellent staff who work in the unit in question, I believe it is absolutely unacceptable to them also.