John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We were dealing with correspondence from the HSE which is a follow-up from the 23 April 2015 meeting. There are a number of other outstanding matters that the executive has to deal with but this correspondence answers some of the questions raised. In the context of the HSE reflecting on our meeting I suggest that we forward a transcript of that meeting to the Garda Commissioner in light of the issues raised separately, relating to the home in Waterford and other matters. We are told the Garda is investigating. It is extremely lax on the part of the HSE and the Garda that this matter is not being dealt with in a more open way. On one side there are approximately 30 young adults who have been affected by what happened there, but I get no sense from the HSE that there is an urgency about this or any desire to resolve it.

The position is likewise in respect of the investigation into the procurement process. That has not been rightly explained to us either. Perhaps the transcript may be of help to the Garda.

A protected disclosure was made, under legislation, on more than one occasion from more than one person, but nothing has happened since. The Garda Commissioner needs to understand that we have had our hearing, that protected disclosures have been made and that we would have expected a far greater urgency as a result of that meeting. The care of these 30 or more individuals is a matter of concern to us. Given all the reports undertaken into incidents within the HSE one wonders whether the executive is fit for purpose at all. Perhaps the transcripts should also go to the Minister out of concern for the issues raised.