Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

The Lourdes hospital redress scheme was established following an inquiry into peripartum hysterectomy at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. The inquiry was chaired by Judge Maureen Harding Clark. Judge Clark was requested by the Government to advise on an appropriate scheme of redress arising from the findings of the report. Having received her advice, the Government approved the establishment of a non-statutory ex gratia scheme of redress in 2007 and appointed Judge Clark as its chairperson.

The Lourdes hospital redress board has now concluded its work and all awards determined have been notified to successful applicants. The total cost of the scheme was €20.6 million. I was asked to consider an extension of the scope of the scheme to include additional former patients of Mr. Neary outside of the terms of the scheme. I gave due consideration to the request and consulted Judge Clark in the matter, who advised against an extension. Acting on this advice, I decided against an extension of the scheme and this was publicly communicated in November 2008.

The Government believes that the Lourdes hospital redress scheme addressed the matter in a sensitive and timely fashion. It was always the Government's intention that the women who qualified for the scheme would receive adequate compensation and that has been achieved in a fair and reasonable manner.

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