Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

Select Committee on Health

Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised)

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I significantly regret, as I am sure do the members, that women are waiting. How we work to resolve that is what I would like to discuss in a moment, following on from the HSE's contribution to this. The Deputy may be asking me whether I wish I had made a different decision. I do not believe it was possible to have made a different decision. Women and GPs were seeking this. The Deputy keeps saying expert clinical advice was given. My expert medical advice is given to me by the chief medical officer, a man who showed extraordinary leadership in this situation, after the failure of others, the mistreatment of Vicky Phelan and the appalling decisions made, namely, that if a woman dies, just stick a note on her file and do not tell her husband. These decisions were made by people carrying out a botched audit. Dr. Tony Holohan stood up to the plate. He is the person from whom I was taking my advice.