Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In light of the service provided by Maurice McCabe in highlighting the need for whistleblowers and giving us a clear example of what may happen to them within a system, it is important that the Minister makes a strong statement on the issue in regard to the health service. All members have first-hand anecdotal information about what happens when those within the system make a complaint on an issue such as an unsafe working environment. I know of people who were told to accept the way things were done or to leave. The "Your Service, Your Say" policy and various practices are in place in the HSE but they do not work as required, namely, to encourage people to come forward with complaints in order to make our health system safer. What can the Minister say to reassure those in the health service who are working in an unsafe environment or perceive practices that threaten the health and safety of patients or staff and are considering making a complaint?