Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá ceist agam faoi chlár an Rialtais agus ceist eile agam faoi na mother and baby homes. The programme for Government in the context of public sector reform commits to transparency and accountability. It states that where secrecy and unaccountability, waste and extravagance, are identified the Government will pin down accountability for results at all levels of the public service from Ministers downwards. Yesterday, the West-North West Hospitals Group announced it had suspended its review into maternity services. This follows on from the resignation as chairperson of the hospitals group of Mr. Noel Daly, a founder and shareholder of a private health consultancy, who was appointed by the Minister for Health. It was Mr. Daly's firm that was contracted to carry out the review of maternity services. In keeping with the commitment of the programme for Government in terms of accountability for results at every level from Ministers down, I have raised this issue with the Taoiseach on numerous occasions, whose response was that the Minister would make a statement on the matter in this House but he has not done so. I again ask the Taoiseach if the Minister for Health, in keeping with the programme for Government, will account to the House on this matter.

Also, will the Taoiseach publish the HSE review into how Noel Daly's firm was awarded the contract to examine maternity services in that region? The Government is drip feeding information in this regard. If this had happened under the watch of Fianna Fáil Members opposite would be up on their hind legs shouting about it. This is happening on this Government's watch. A contract was awarded to a private consultancy firm, a shareholder of which was appointed the head of a public health service. The chairperson then resigned because of a conflict of interest, the review was pulled and the Minister has not accounted for this matter to the Dáil.

In regard to the terms of reference for the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes, the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, said he expected these to be ready prior to the Dáil rising for the summer but that he does not expect the investigation to commence before the end of this year. Is this acceptable to the Taoiseach? Is that not an unduly long lead-in time? The Taoiseach will be aware that Archbishop Martin has said the inquiry should include the Magdalen laundries. Can he give that commitment? Will the county homes, as requested by the campaign of survivors group, also be included? What is the timetable and format for consultation between the Government and Opposition parties and between the Government and the survivors group on the terms of reference and other relevant details?

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