Dáil debates

Tuesday, 20 March 2007

Health Bill 2006: Instruction to Committee.

 

5:00 pm

Photo of Liam TwomeyLiam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

The Minister did not sign off on them yet they are being used throughout the health service. Is the Minister in charge of the Irish health service? The Minister knows that this legislation will not protect anybody. Senior management, who chose to ignore things going wrong for many years, will not take responsibility for their actions. Usually an unfortunate individual down the line is made a scapegoat and pays the price for things going wrong. This legislation is more of the same.

The Minister spoke eloquently on the two midwives who bravely stepped forward but her legislation would do little to protect them. They would be expected to approach an individual in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, where the problem existed in 1998, to make the complaint. There was significant public support for Dr. Neary when he was exposed because people do not expect such things to happen. The two midwives happened to be in a solicitor's office when they made their statements and the solicitor followed up on them. The midwives are not protected by this legislation and could be charged under it. In this legislation the Minister has failed to protect the midwives she spoke of so much.

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