Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I compliment my colleague, Deputy Reilly, for bringing this motion before the Dáil. It concerns one of the most awful situations to have happened in this country. There have been very many serious incidents in the health service over the years but this is the worst, particularly for women. When a woman is told she is expecting a baby it is a very joyous time for the husband and wife, or for that woman. However, when she is told the following week that this will not happen it is dreadful. I am sure there are women who listened to their doctor, took the diagnosis and dealt with the situation. Today I am sure they regret not getting further advice or opinion.

It is an outrageous situation. The time has come for people to take responsibility for their actions. There have been very many serious situations. Nobody takes responsibility for them and in this case, again nobody is taking responsibility, whether from among the medical profession, in the Department of Heath and Children or the actual Minister. Nobody takes responsibility but somebody must do so. We have put people into positions of trust, whether as politicians, in the Department of Health and Children or in the medical profession and if something goes wrong ultimately somebody is to blame. We now have health and safety legislation which makes it clear there must be ultimate responsibility in regard to whichever case is in question.

This was terrible for women and for families. I hope we never again see a situation such as that which happened to these women. We were told the misdiagnosis may have been because of machinery error, or whatever. We are putting resources in health where there are very professional people who are well trained and well paid to do the job. If they do not take the responsibility that goes with the job then something must happen.

I have a question and the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, might respond to it when he concludes the debate. Will anybody take responsibility for this? Who will comfort the mothers who today do not know whether their child was dead or alive? It is terrible that this has happened to women and it is a terrible indictment of our health service that it could and did happen, yet again without anybody taking responsibility.

I hope when the Minister of State responds he will tell us that some action will be taken, that there will be an inquiry and that when it is finished somebody will pay a price. I do not care who pays the price but somebody should pay it because the mothers who are at home tonight with their families still wonder about what they did and whether their child was alive. Is that not a terrible situation to face for the rest of one's life?

See this speech in context