Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I welcome the fact the Taoiseach said he has had the opportunity to study the report at least as much as any other Member. If that is the case, has he noted that while the report states that much has changed for the better in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, it also mentions some worrying facts? It criticises, for example, risk management among some consultants and says consultants use up too much of their time with private patients. Will the Taoiseach note that and discuss it with the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children?

The report states: "No elective major gynaecology operations are carried out as there are no dedicated gynaecology beds available for elective operations." What has the Taoiseach to say about this? It is clearly indicated in the report that theatres, staff and clinicians with the requisite skills are in place. The equipment is there, but operations of the type referred to by JudgeHarding Clark are not carried out because there are no dedicated gynaecology beds for elective surgery in that area. This is absurd in a hospital that provides the critical mass of the service to women throughout the north-east area. What is the Taoiseach going to do about this?

Did the Taoiseach note the comments yesterday from the solicitor for Patient Focus, which has done wonderful work with and on behalf of the women concerned, stating this will happen again because the culture has not been removed? We need to know what the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste are going to do to remove that culture so we may guarantee to women throughout the land that this can never happen again.

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