Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

Like other speakers, I do not regard this as a political issue and would hate to see the House divide on the motion. We are all horrified at the activities that took place at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. I welcome the fact that the Minister, Deputy Harney, has met the members of Dignity 4 Patients and listened to their horrific stories. I commend the victims on their bravery in relating those stories because it takes a lot of courage for a person to come forward and do so. I am delighted the Minister met them, received their submission, listened to their request for an inquiry and has agreed to give that request the detailed consideration it deserves. I also welcome the fact that she has committed herself to getting back to the group within a matter of weeks.

This is the second time the House has had to debate the appalling misconduct of a consultant at this hospital in Drogheda. It is clear that the appalling misconduct was well known. It is terrible that money had to be set aside from the sale of the hospital because they knew that claims were inevitable concerning this consultant. Some of my colleagues from the constituency, who are more familiar with the situation, made the point that the first complaint was made in 1970. That the consultant was allowed to practice at the hospital for so many years afterwards, while abusing so many people, is a horror story that shames everybody.

In recent weeks, the House has debated the Ryan report. It was shameful that this type of activity was carried out in this country for so many decades and was known to so many people, yet nothing was done about it. In her 2006 report, Judge Maureen Harding Clark spoke out about the pervasive culture concerning consultants in that hospital. It was a culture of acceptance and compliance with the activities of these consultants who went around the hospital with a God-like complex and nobody could question them. Patients and hospital staff lived in fear of them and were not in a position to do anything about it.

I am delighted that in recent years we have seen Part 9A of the Health Act 2007 come into effect, which allows whistleblowers to come forward. It is a protection for patients and staff who can now make the type of complaints we saw brave people in Drogheda making against Dr. Michael Neary. On that occasion, a midwife from another jurisdiction was the first brave whistleblower to come forward. The new legislation gives protection to employees to blow the whistle, and we can only hope there will be no recurrence of this type of activity.

Changes have taken place at the Medical Council which now has a lay majority and, in addition, its fitness to practise committee must also hold hearings in public, which is a welcome development. When Dr. Shine was investigated all the hearings were held in private, which gives no comfort to victims of the terrible conduct in which he engaged.

In yesterday's debate the Minister said she had spoken to the Garda Commissioner and that new complaints are being investigated. I welcome that development. As a public representative my concern, and that of all other Members of this House, is for the victims who are the injured parties. All appropriate support services must be provided for the victims in this case. Serious consideration must be given to their request for an inquiry. Having heard the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform earlier, I welcome the Government's openness in listening to that request, which I know will be given full consideration.

Victims should be informed of the support services available to them. Many of them have been already in contact and are availing of those support services. I commend them on their bravery and I hope we will see justice for them.

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