Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also do so on occasion. I have met the families in Portlaoise and Mr. Rowlette and Mr. Kivlehan. I met the patients' councils at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, and Cavan Monaghan Hospital. I meet patients and patient groups all the time. There are, however, 2 million patient attendances in the public health service every year. If one goes back 20 years, that is 40 million attendances. It is not possible for me to meet everyone. I meet people where I have a particular role and can add something and there is a particular purpose to the meeting.

On the request for an inquiry or inquest, I am advised by the HSE legal services that this case must be notified to the current coroner and that no statute of limitations applies to the matter. Dr. Chris Fitzpatrick on behalf of the Coombe hospital has written to the coroner officially notifying him of the death. The coroner responded that he had received the notice and a decision on whether to hold an inquest will be made by the coroner, who is an independent quasi-judicial officer. I do not have the authority to order an inquest be carried out. It is a matter at this stage for the coroner.

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