Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to speak. Some of my speech will be directed at the Minister for Health and Children, but I am glad the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is present because he is a man for whom I have much time. I thank him for arranging the meeting at which he outlined to us how he felt this should run. I very much respected and listened to everything he had to say. He did what he said he would do and his earlier report gives everybody hope things will follow on in this way. However, it is crucial that we continue with this debate and that an inquiry is held. That is what the people want. The decision to table the motion and put it to a vote was not taken lightly. Nobody would do anything to jeopardise the case and I would not like to say anything that would do so.

It is very important the issues involved are addressed at this level. People in the north east have lived with the case for 30 years. The difference now is that they are better educated and they will not take no for an answer. Therefore, the mindset is very different from what it was. The one great thing which has happened in the past 15 years, through the education system and modern technology, is that people no longer feel they cannot speak out against figures in authority. A number of months ago all Deputies were asked to attend meetings on this issue and much has happened since. The fact that we are debating it is evidence of this.

Some people must be complimented on the way they have highlighted the plight of those affected. I refer to Bernadette Sullivan and her great team who have carried the burden for a long time. She acted not only as a responsible nurse but also as a concerned person for the victims who had found it hard to come forward. I refer also to the excellent and responsible journalism which led to the the case being highlighted continuously, in particular by Michael Reid and the LM FM team and all our local newspapers, without mentioning any in particular. I congratulate sincerely Deputy James Reilly, my party's health spokesperson, for the genuine offer of an apology on behalf of his profession on the day Dignity 4 Patients held its press conference. People with issues can achieve what they have set out to achieve by political lobbying. Dignity 4 Patients has worked tirelessly in the political process to bring the issue to attention. It has acted alone without resources or backing. The fact that we are debating the issue and calling for an inquiry and that the Minister for Health and Children met the group last week shows how far we have come. However, it has taken too long to reach this point. To be fair to the Minster, one could see in her speech last night how genuine she was in trying to meet the needs of the people affected. However, everybody knows that when the House goes into recess, things will not happen. It would be unforgivable of the Minister to allow the people concerned to wait another day, month, six weeks or three months for further action to be taken.

One thing I find frustrating as a Deputy is that Ministers and persons in responsible positions cannot make a decision on their own initiative. The facts are clear. The Medical Council has acted and almost 200 people have come forward. Living in the area, as I do, I know there is a similar number who have not come forward. One more day is too long for the people concerned to wait. Those who head the campaign on behalf of so many want unanswered questions dealt with and to be assured that this will not happen again. I respect the views expressed by the Minister for Health and Children last night and her sincerity. While she did not forget to mention that the same proposal had been made to a Minister from my party in 1995, owing to the fact that Mr. Shine was struck off the register by the Medical Council in recent years and that almost 200 people have come forward with complaints, a person in her position should be strong enough to order an inquiry into how this had continued for so long. The people concerned have waited long enough. I call on the Minister and members of all parties to support the motion.

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