James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I acknowledge the Minister, Deputy Moloney's contribution. It is right that we do. I was going to say the reason we put this motion forward was the ambivalence and confusion with Deputy Moloney having made a statement a few weeks back and the Minister then having a change of heart. I fully acknowledge the Minister's right to do that and I welcome his comments. I had hoped, as others had, we would not divide on this issue, and maybe we will not. The motion is simple and I will not read it again because Deputy Neville did that for us a couple of minutes ago.

The Minister for Health and Children has told us she must consult with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Attorney General and the Government and that nothing can move until this happens. I find this not really believable in some ways given that the Government meets weekly and that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is local to it and is familiar with the case. He must talk with the Attorney General weekly if not daily. Where there is a will there is way. I do not say this to score points, but there is enough opportunity to have a meeting of minds if there is a will to do this. I hope this will can find its way in an expression that the Minister will go ahead with this.

I acknowledge all the other Deputies who have contributed here. There has been a good history of co-operation between the Deputies in the north-east from all sides of the House regarding the many catastrophes and injustices that have emanated from that one hospital.

Criminal trials can proceed in tandem with an inquiry and report after a trial so they do not prejudice it, so that is not really a reason not to do this. The issues around the case have to be examined, including, as has already been said, how complaints are dealt with by the Garda, the health boards, now the HSE, hospital management, the Irish Medical Board and the DPP. Last night and many times I said we must have transparency, accountability, and the Minister has mentioned this, and fairness in all State activity whether carried out directly by the State or on behalf of the State, as in this case.

The victims of Mr. Shine may all have suffered in the north-east of this country but the whole country is concerned it should not happen again. We must have an independent inquiry and a commission can do that in a private, cost-effective way. We need a new culture where investigating complaints is the automatic response rather than ignoring or suppressing them as has been the case in the past. There can be no more circling of the collegiate wagons in these situations. If we do not pass this motion and ensure an inquiry we make a mockery of the Ryan commission and all that flowed from it. Virtually all Mr. Shine's victims were children at the time of the assaults and abuse. We said we would cherish all the children and this inquiry must be part of achieving that.

I have found it particularly difficult as a parent and a doctor that such things were done to hurt children, particularly by a fellow doctor. I am ashamed of him. I have apologised and I will apologise again on behalf of my profession that these things were done by one of ours. He has damaged the profession and the entire basis of the doctor-patient relationship, which has at its heart trust. However, it is nothing compared to the damage he has done to the victims, many of whom have suffered in silence for decades. I pay tribute to them, to Dignity 4 Patients and to Bernadette Sullivan, who was the whistleblower and who suffered as a result. However, she has persisted in her fight for justice for the victims. We owe it to her and to them to ensure this inquiry takes place. We need whistleblower legislation, but we also need legislation to protect people's good names from vexatious complaints. I do not profess to have the automatic answer - the inquiry can do that for us.

These victims have suffered for decades. Last night, I mentioned the man who could not walk down West Street in Drogheda but feels he can now because he has been vindicated to a certain extent. However, let him be fully vindicated. I ask Members on the other side of the House to try to put politics aside tonight. If they feel they cannot vote in favour of the motion, at least they should abstain. Let tonight be the night for the victims. Let victory be theirs tonight. Let justice and truth be theirs tonight. Most importantly, let us never allow this to happen again in such a lengthy fashion. As I have said before, we know there will always be perverts among us, but what is important is that a system is put in place to protect people from them and catch them quickly so they cannot continue their evil ways over three decades. I commend the motion to the House.

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