Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On the same issue, I want to be sure I understand what the Taoiseach is saying. In 2015 the Government pulled the plug on mandatory open disclosure as a statutory duty of candour. The Taoiseach was on the record that he thought it was a good idea, but on the basis of information or advice, he backed away from it. That was a mistake but that is what he did. The Taoiseach now tells us that the health information and patient safety Bill, which is on the B list, is being fast-tracked. Is there not a contradiction inherent in this? It sounds to me that the Taoiseach was not keen on this proposition and he is now moving under pressure. I welcome the fact he is moving on the matter but I would like the Taoiseach to tell the House, not in some vague way, exactly when we will see this legislation. Do not pretend this was something on the to-do list when clearly the Taoiseach had wrongly backed away from it. That was a mistake. Now, because of this appalling turn of events, it is back on the Government's agenda. This is the correct thing to do. There should not have been a delay but we are where we are.

Perhaps the Taoiseach will explain how something that is being fast-tracked could be on a B list. This does not make any sense to me. Is the Taoiseach moving it on to an A list or is there some kind of supercharged approach to this now? It needs to happen quickly. It is part of the public confidence thing the Taoiseach is keen on.

See this speech in context