Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I cannot anticipate what information or facts will emerge in respect of the Roscommon inquiry. It will be dealt with. At all times, the intention is, where possible, to provide for publication of reports. This must be done in a way consistent with the rights of affected parties. I cannot anticipate the outcome save to give an assurance that the view of the Minister of State in all these matters is to be as transparent as possible. These are important issues, they are in the public interest and they relate to vulnerable children. There is a need to ensure that these reports are made available in the interests of public confidence and such that people discharge their statutory duties as envisaged and foreseen, but with the caveat of the need to deal with any legal issues that arise. I cannot be any more specific than that.

The Minister of State met the chairman of the HSE and officials yesterday evening. He informed them of his decision to establish the independent group. He also discussed additional measures to be undertaken by the HSE as a matter of urgency. He requested that the board of the HSE provide him with a schedule of clear timelines for completing all reviews of child deaths currently in progress but not yet complete. This schedule will include the completion of the review, finalisation of the report and publication of an executive summary in respect of each of the review dates. He will also lay a copy of this schedule before the Houses of the Oireachtas and publish it when it comes to hand.

The Minster of State has agreed with the HSE that the board will review the schedule on a monthly basis and take whatever action is required to ensure adherence to the milestone dates and to report to him in this regard each month. He has also requested that the HSE provide a validated list of all relevant cases at the earliest possible date.

In line with the previous commitment by the HSE to publish the main findings and recommendations of the report in the DF case, a case already made reference to in the public domain, the Minister of State has emphasised the requirement for such information to be published to the HSE. He has agreed with the HSE that this matter should be finalised as a matter of urgency.

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