Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

When the HSE was established three years ago in 2004 the Minister said we would have clear accountability for our health services. Following last week's publication of the Fitzgerald report, clearly we do not. Two issues surround Portlaoise. One is the misdiagnosis. I listened to today's debate. I do not accept the fact that we looked for qualified staff to operate the services in Portlaoise and nobody replied to the advertisement. I find that statement difficult to take and it will sit very uncomfortably with the misdiagnosed women. The other issue is what happened once it was recognised that misdiagnosis had taken place. In August 2007 a review was put in place and last week Mr. Fitzgerald said there appeared to be no urgency about that review until the meeting with the Oireachtas health committee. I do not want to erase what has happened. What protocols will be put in place should such a situation arise again? We hear talk about centres of excellence and I can accept them. What protocols will we put in place should such a situation arise again? That critical issue must be addressed. We do not want people scattering off in all directions with no clear idea of their roles and to whom they should report. It is Portlaoise today; I hope it will not happen somewhere else tomorrow. Given the dysfunctional HSE described by Mr. Fitzgerald we can have little confidence that such a situation will not arise again.

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