Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The panel's recommendation talks about the timeframe for this being within 12 to 18 months. Can the panel tell me what progress has been made or would it be the Department that could tell me? The timeline should be immediate as it is hugely important for families. I understand members of the panel may have visited some of the homes I am talking about in their professional capacity and there is huge trauma for families attached to constantly fighting to get information and to get at the truth. As Ms Doherty noted, HIQA is carrying out inspections but a key problem I raised last week, about which I think the panel members agree with me, is that the authority can carry out an inspection but not an investigation. Consequently the families are really extremely distressed. The witnesses should respond to that point.