Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Those who are viewing probably cannot see the document. There are great big lumps of black on the pages. The only word I can see on one page is "post". That is very helpful. It is the most insulting document that has ever been published by anybody. A public representative in the Gallery gave me this document today. To send it out shows a total level of arrogance beyond belief.

Ms Mullins has appeared before the committee a few times. Every time I hear the story of St. Brigid's, I have a vision of a local health centre where, if I lived in the area, I could go to die and while I was passing out of this life, my family could be around me along with the people I knew and the neighbours I grew up with. It paints a beautiful picture. Somebody in the HSE took a decision and that is it - there is no going back.

Public representatives from the local area are present and they will have their own view on it, including local authority members who have travelled with the witnesses.

The way we as public representatives and local government representatives are being treated by the HSE is absolutely outrageous. I have revised my request to ask we also bring the Minister for Health in either before or after the HSE. Somebody somewhere has to be answerable. This is a heartbreaking story. I think the last time we were talking respite care was being offered in Waterford or Tipperary town. Those were the two options.

The way we as public representatives and local government representatives are being treated by the HSE is absolutely outrageous. I have revised my request that we also bring the Minister for Health in before or after the HSE. Somebody somewhere has to be answerable. This is a heartbreaking story. I think the last time we were talking respite care was being offered in Waterford or Tipperary town. Those were the two options.