Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to go back to pages 46 and 47, which concern mass actions, with Mr. Breen. We talk about a litigious society. I have an allergy to several things, including that idea. Nobody featured on these pages is taking a case without cause. Mr. Breen will agree with that. One of these actions concerns a lack of in-cell sanitation, which is a State responsibility. Now the public purse is brought into it because of the State's inaction.

We have a list of cases, such as the anti-malaria drug Lariam and the mother and baby homes. I understand that Mr. Breen will come back to the committee secretariat on these cases.

In addition, there is the incidence of prison-based tuberculosis. This question is also addressed to Mr. Lynch from the HSE. I know of a case in Galway where a patient with tuberculosis was admitted. In the paper record, which I followed up, everything was perfect, the patient was isolated and all the protocols implemented, but in fact that did not happen, the patient was left and other patients and staff were exposed to tuberculosis, so this will give rise to cases against the State. This was completely preventable.

I have questions for Mr. Breen about those living with the effects of thalidomide. There are 36 active cases. On a previous occasion we went though a Government scheme for the people involved and the contributions from the German company. Is it correct there are a further 36 cases outside of that?