Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

If my voice does not give up on me, Deputy Rabbitte will have to be patient and allow me to finish.

The Minister has admitted that she only learned of this scandal on 15 December, and only as a secondary matter in a meeting with the chief executive at Tallaght hospital on another issue. Is the Minister negligent for not inquiring about the number of cases involved when this matter was first raised in December? Has she made inquiries about the matter since? We are now in the second week of March. I find the situation absolutely incredible. She needs to explain her role as Minister. Does she believe that acting in the interest of patients by the Minister for Health and Children equates to meddling, as she claimed on "Morning Ireland"? I find that absolutely outrageous. She has a responsibility to ensure that we receive best care and best practice in all our acute hospitals.

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