Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Yesterday, I said I would not quit and walk off the stage, and tonight I will tell the House why.

Since I became Minister for Health and Children, putting patients first is important to me. When introducing new legislation on medical practitioners, Ireland was the first country to put a lay majority on the fitness to practise committee. In seeking that I faced huge vested interests from within the House and outside it. I was asked why were we doing it first before any other country but I am happy other countries are now following suit.

We introduced a provision for public hearings on fitness to practise committee meetings. Why? It was done to put patients first. Lay majorities have been appointed to the councils for health and social care professionals and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland that governs the pharmacy profession. The same will be done with An Bord Altranais.

A redress scheme for the victims of Dr. Neary, whose files disappeared, and who have no opportunity to vindicate their rights in the courts was introduced. What a great pity there was no review of the activities in the maternity unit of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, for 25 years. Blaming me for what happened in Portlaoise is like blaming the 13 health Ministers who presided when those activities were going on in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

In appointments I have made, I have sought to put patient advocates on various boards. Jane O'Brien from Positive Action was appointed to the Blood Transfusion Service Board.

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