Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for her response. As she pointed out, the national review panel was set up in response to the poor recording of child death over the years within the HSE and the failure on the part of the State to investigate and assess the problems and weaknesses in each area.

I also commend Dr. Buckley and the review panel for their work on this. They were asked to look into 36 cases, of which six were included in the report published some weeks ago. These cases are not merely paper files but represent real children who suffered, in some cases, death, in others, serious incidents. In her report Dr. Buckley stated that the number of deaths was not out of kilter with the national average, a relevant point here.

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