Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Deputy's frustration and annoyance about the Minister not being able to be here to take this matter. I can only respond to the Deputy on the basis of the reply to this Topical Issue matter that I have been given by the Department. I understand that when Topical Issue matters are selected by the Ceann Comhairle there is contact with the particular line Minister. Unfortunately, in the current circumstances, as acknowledged by the Deputy, the Minister, Deputy Harris, has been inundated with having to go from one place to another. Having heard the Deputy's concerns, from my reading of the statement provided by the Department, all I can do is assure him that it states an assessment has been done and that the hospital group has said that these machines are working. What the Deputy has said is very different from that.

I will, as one would say, echo the Deputy's concerns to the Minister about the 420 people, the issue about the disclaimer and the other references he made in his contribution. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to give a statement other than what is contained in the reply that I have been given by the Department because I cannot prejudge the issue of the machines that are in place and who gave permission for those machines to be used.

I have to be honest and say that I have been here on a number of occasions on a Thursday to answer Topical Issue matters raised and sometimes I have not been very clear because I do not have a clear answer myself. I want to assure the Deputies that I make it my business to contact each line Minister by email and personally to outline the concerns that have been raised. In doing that, I hope Deputy Tóibín and other Deputies would get some kind of response from the line Minister.

See this speech in context