Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I will deal with the latter issue first. The meeting was not about whistleblowing but about another issue and the midwife raised this particular issue in that context. The whistleblower, which is not the correct title, raised it in the context of another issue and said the issue should be examined. It was examined and the solicitor raised the issue. After that the three obstetricians were appointed and the College of Obstetrics conducted at least two examinations of the standards. As the Deputy said, they gave a clean bill of health both to the individual and to the unit. The Deputy has used his own terms for that and I will not disagree. I cannot understand that either. This raises issues for the Medical Council, which it accepts. The Minister for Health and Children has raised the issues with the council and will meet its representatives. It also raises issues for the College of Obstetrics because three of its senior members examined the cases and procedures and believed that Dr. Neary was fine for practice, even though we now have the figures for his hospital and can compare them with similar hospitals. Issues, therefore, arise for the Medical Council and the College of Obstetrics and they must be followed through.

The provision of statute protection for whistleblowers, which is a different issue, on a sectoral basis might be a better and a more focused approach than dealing with the issue any other way. We have put this provision into the child protection and reporting Bills, a competition Bill, a health and safety bill and other legislation. It is not the case that we have failed to do this but it is not the point on this issue.

See this speech in context