Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Will the Minister of State outline to the House when and in what way he specifically conveyed the views of the Irish public to the HSE on the matter of the totally unacceptable culture of secrecy, lack of transparency, complete absence of accountability and the scandal that has been and continues to be deaths of children while in care? The Minister of State indicated that he established the review group but is he satisfied that the review group has received all the appropriate papers from the HSE? Is he concerned at the reports that in spite of legislation rushed through this House because of the legislative weakness in the HSE structure, the review group only received some vital information by way of a consignment of files some weeks ago? Those files were sought earlier in the year.

Will the Minister of State outline to the House the number of children who have died in care during the period under review by the group? These figures appear to be unavailable and seem to change, again giving rise to well-grounded feelings on the part of people involved that there continues to be a culture of secrecy and a total lack of transparency and accountability in the provision of these figures and such vital information.

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