Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I am merely seeking to support Deputy Ó Caoláin's request for a debate on the matter. All we have been offered on this issue is an internal inquiry on the part of the HSE, which would be entirely unsatisfactory. There is a need for an independent inquiry. This was a matter of life and death whereby babies would not have been born if their mothers had not had the instinct to seek a second opinion. It is not satisfactory that the HSE will be carrying out an internal inquiry. This is an extremely serious matter and I do not believe the Minister for Health and Children realises that. We need a Minister for Health and Children who is capable of dealing with the major issues that might arise in respect of his or her portfolio. The current Minister has failed to respond. I urge the Taoiseach to respond on the Government's behalf.

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