Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The victims of the former consultant, Michael Neary, and others at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, have been vindicated by the report of Judge Maureen Harding Clark. These women were subject to a procedure that mutilated them so that they could not conceive again. Scores of women have been seriously hurt and are suffering as a result of their experience. It is very important that we should remember that none of them was told what would be done to them or had it properly explained. Many learned some time later from their spouses or partners or in an offhand way. Real and substantial issues need to be further addressed. What action is the Taoiseach and the Government prepared to take?

The Minister for Health and Children stated yesterday that the report confirms the appropriateness of actions being taken under the new medical practitioners Bill, the reform of the current consultant contract and the changes in management systems within hospitals. How will we, as accountable elected representatives, judge that? The heads of the medical practitioners Bill were agreed by Government as far back as 2004. Yesterday I asked the Taoiseach whether he would encourage or facilitate the release of the heads to all health spokespersons. The Taoiseach deftly ignored the question, but I will put it again. Will he now publish the heads of the Bill in order that all parties may see the pertinence of the Tánaiste's claim? The reform of the consultants' contract is overdue since 2002 and seems to be deadlocked. It has gone nowhere. Where does that contract and its renegotiation stand?

What action will the Garda take on the issue of the medical records that have been stolen? It has already investigated the issue, but will it now proactively pursue the issue to discover who was responsible for the removal of the files, not just in a single situation but in duplicate? Will the Government establish a redress board? There is no reason to dither on this issue. The report is comprehensive and the women involved have appealed for a redress board time and again. Patient Focus has made the same appeal. The appeal is supported by a significant body of elected Members of both the Dáil and the Seanad who have continually put the case in support of the Patient Focus argument for a redress board to be established. The Taoiseach should advise the House of the clear intent of Government in this regard.

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