David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We can only tie our own hands. We have a very clear remit and we should do stay within that but I completely agree with Teachta Farrell that we should not trespass on the work of any other committee's remit. With regard to the sectoral committees, the Minister for Health is responsible to the Joint Committee on Health and the Accounting Officer is responsible to the Committee of Public Accounts. On the costs to the State, Vicky Phelan's settlement cost was incurred by the service provider in the United States of America. If a redress scheme is set up, I cannot see how a redress scheme set up by the State or by a Minister can force a private company to do anything. It would be a civil matter between the private company and the individual. I imagine that a redress scheme would look at the State's failure and the HSE's failure and how it impacted on women. That will be a cost to the State. Redress costs will not be borne by any private company. There will be parallel processes with private civil court cases between the company and individuals, and the redress process looking at where the State messed up or, what the Taoiseach described as a cock-up. That will be a cost to the State.