Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

If we all knew why the late Pat Joe Walsh died, we would not have needed a report in the first place. The report was written by two very eminent independent clinicians, one from Northern Ireland and one from the UK. We sought people from outside the jurisdiction to get an objective assessment of what happened on that famous night. If we had known all the answers we would not have needed to do that.

Clearly there is no adverse impact on the late Pat Joe Walsh or his family, so the issue of sending the family a copy of the report in advance for their comments does not arise. We have to follow due process so that we can have a report which is publishable, which is what everybody would like to see and it is what is on the way. I have not seen the report, have not discussed it with anybody and have not a notion what is in it. I wish we could have had the report sooner. I am advised by the HSE that the Walsh family had been briefed on the matter. There have been ongoing problems with the HSE north-eastern area. There are five hospitals for a small population base.

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