Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Duty of candour is not underpinned statutorily. I fully appreciate that the protections are there. When the Taoiseach was the Minister for Health he described the failure to adhere to a duty of candour and to disclose the relevant information as being "the equivalent of a hit and run." I agree with the Taoiseach in this regard, which is rare enough. This is exactly what happened to this one person on her own.

I asked the Taoiseach a very specific question about the other woman who had been misdiagnosed. I appreciate that the Taoiseach did not see the programme last night but I am aware that he will be fully briefed on the matter as it is one of the issues of the day. Will the Taoiseach please confirm that this woman has been informed that she was misdiagnosed? This is important. Will the Taoiseach also confirm that he wants to see a full and comprehensive review of all the cases undertaken by this pathologist in 2010? It is not good enough that people do not have confidence in our health service. It is not good enough that they feel they are battling against the system. It is not good enough that the system circled the wagons. It is not good enough that the system gets permission from the Government to do exactly that. The Taoiseach needs to confirm that this woman has been told that she was misdiagnosed and he needs to confirm that the review will take place.

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