Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste appears to dismiss out of hand the results of this research, even before he has studied it. He must be aware that his colleague, the Minister for Health, in justifying his decision to proceed with a HSE inquiry in the case of Ms Savita Halappanavar, has said he owes a duty of care to the women of Ireland. Is the Tánaiste aware that the recent report from the State Claims Agency indicates that there were 5,600 accidents or near accidents in the area of childbirth in hospitals last year? The total number of accidents and near accidents is 86,000 which cost the health service €81 million in claims last year. Is the Government going to take action on this research? Will it, at a minimum, organise risk assessments of all staffing levels, or is its concern for the safety of those using hospital services confined to bringing forward legislation to deal with the outcome of the X case?

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