Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It was an independent review by a particular hospital regarding mistakes that happened. That was just one review. We can see the cost of those independent reviews before matters ever get to court. If one leaves aside the internal reviews, one then looks at the different type of external reviews. There are reviews whereby people can be cross-examined or questioned and the reviews - with which, unfortunately, I am now familiar - whereby there is no examination but there is an independent examination involving outside consultants and nurses. There are all sorts of questions regarding whether those reviews are actually independent, not to mention the cost and value for money, before we ever get there. I am just highlighting that because I will return to this matter. I am in the process of asking questions about the actual cost. At no point do I see any of the institutions learning. I see that we are snowed under with governance and with various items of documentation but the actual learning is missing. That is how we end up with medical negligence cases and barristers making money. I see why fees are so high because at no stage in that process do I see learning happening. I see us being snowed under with all sorts of documentation but no learning taking place. This even ties into Charleton tribunal going back to individuals learning-----