Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On the labs, does any of the witnesses yet have a copy of the tenders that were put out a number of years ago, which were destroyed? I do not imply there was any wrongdoing in that regard but has anyone found any copies of the original tenders?

Statistically, Dr. Scally found that the labs were clear as regards international norms. I accept that. However, what I do not understand is that where cases were taken and where labs settled or said that there was a failure of duty, for want of a better phrase, would it not be normal that the HSE, as the contractor, would then inspect the lab concerned?

In any other walk of life, if a case was settled related to services contracted in, the contractor would seek reassurances. I am accepting what Dr. Scally said with regard to international statistics and norms.

My questions are: Have the tenders been found; did the HSE inspect the labs; and, if not, why not? In fact, I am aware that it did not and we know from the Scally report that the labs were rarely, if ever, inspected. In particular, why were they not inspected when cases were settled? Are they being inspected?