Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, for meeting representatives of Dignity 4 Patients to discuss their request for an inquiry. Having attended that meeting, I can attest to her genuine concern for the victims and their devastating stories of betrayal and abuse. It is all the more shocking that the abuse took place in the setting of an acute hospital. During the meeting, the Minister indicated that she would need time to discuss the issues with the Attorney General, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Commissioner but committed to a further meeting with the group in three to four weeks' time. In such circumstances, it is difficult to be sure of the value of this debate other than in terms of the opportunity it provides us to show solidarity with the victims and the Minister in her anxiety to make the correct response.

While progress has been made on developing a complaints procedure, we must never lose sight of our ultimate duty of protecting patients from abuse. We need to further examine a culture and system which allowed Michael Shine to abuse patients for 25 years despite the many complaints that had been made since 1970. The victims have many questions but three in particular stand out. First, how could so many people, including in particular teenage boys, be sexually abused in an acute hospital setting? Second, how could 70% of this abuse occur in broad daylight and in an outpatients department? Third, who knew what was going on and why was nothing done to protect these young people? These questions need to be addressed within the hospital system.

I understand that more victims have come forward since the "Prime Time Investigates" programme was broadcast. Dignity 4 Patients has given these people the courage to speak up. For more than 30 years, Dr. Michael Shine abused the patients in his care. His victims were betrayed by him and by a society and culture which revered doctors and allowed people to turn a blind eye. Our priority is to assist the victims because they cannot be let down again. I understand a Garda investigation into these complaints is ongoing. The Minister, Deputy Harney, is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in our hospitals. The correct solution for the victims is her main concern.

We all wish to see an inquiry into what happened at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital but we must be mindful of the concerns expressed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform about prejudicing a possible future trial. However, while the criminal investigation should be our primary focus, serious questions nonetheless arise.

The victims' stories have truly shocked and appalled us but their strength and dignity in speaking publicly is remarkable and their determination to keep this issue in the public domain is admirable. They rightly want to expose the regime which allowed Michael Shine to abuse his position in a horrific way. I look forward to the Minister's second meeting with Dignity 4 Parents and I am confident that every effort is being made to address victims' concerns.

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