Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

This had not been brought to my attention until I watched the RTE report last week which indicated that on the weekend before last a number of women were, as described by Deputy Kenny, left waiting in the Rotunda sexual assault treatment unit, and were told to wait in their clothes for a prolonged period in poor facilities. I raised the matter with the HSE and asked for an explanation of the position.

There is dispute, as there always is on these issues. I was going on what I saw. The chairperson of the rape crisis unit gave an even-handed report on the circumstances and the requirement for resources. There is dispute about the facts of what actually happened in the unit. That is neither here nor there. These are small units. It does not seem like a big issue or a big financial issue to resolve. There are four sexual assault treatment units in the Irish Republic — in Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Letterkenny. It is recognised that it can be difficult to obtain medical expertise for forensic examination. The national review of sexual assault treatment services recommends the establishment of further units in the west and midlands to ensure nobody is more than three hours' drive from a sexual assault treatment unit. The HSE has identified a resource requirement to develop such units. It has argued that such works should be covered in the 2007 Estimates. That request is being examined. Services for people who report rape or sexual assault should, as far as possible, be available locally. It is vital that such services are provided within a short period of time by practitioners who conduct the relevant examinations on a regular basis. It has been suggested to me that issues relating to skills and the level of expertise should be addressed. I have also been asked to ensure that a unit is established in the west. There are two issues in this regard. One issue relates to what is needed in 2007. The other issue relates to what happened in the Rotunda Hospital the weekend before last. I have asked that it not happen again.

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