Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

My concern is whether the report fully reflects the position. While I will not discuss in detail individual items of correspondence, one of them indicates there are two similar cases in litigation. As we discussed last week, the HSE is moving towards an open disclosure approach. I do not know if this issue falls into that category. It is frustrating that money that could be spent on services is being spent on legal fees when matters are brought through a legal process. I do not know whether value for money will be delivered in this case but the correspondence identifies two similar cases. If that is correct, I would be concerned that someone who is a ward of court will be in exactly the same position as Grace until such time as court approval is secured for the services he or she may have. This may well delay some of the services the individual in question needs. Some of this may fall within the remit of the commission. However, if there is litigation involved, it may also be a matter that the committee must examine from a value for money perspective.