Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

With regard to the last point made by the Deputy, it is a serious process, and I believe that is accepted. I do not believe somebody of the stature of Mr. Justice Smyth would engage in a process that was not serious. I will give consideration to the deadline of 3 March. I do not know whether we set it or Mr. Justice Smyth did, but I shall have that examined. Dignity 4 Patients has asked for funding and I am well disposed to this. I have asked it to make an application under the health lotto. I do not know whether the application has been received as yet, but I know it is in the process of getting charity status from the Revenue, which is required in order to avail of the funding. I believe that process is underway. However, I am well disposed to giving the organisation some funding, as I am aware of the enormous financial pressure it is under. I believe it represents about 190 former patients of Mr. Shine and perhaps 36 others. The workload is quite considerable, as I am aware.

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