Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister will make available any documentation that is required by committees. That is always the case. What the committees should do is entirely a matter for them, and I fully acknowledge their independence. I have been around this House for a long time and I fully recognise the rights of committees to do their business. I must also be conscious, however, that the Dáil is anxious that Dr. Scally would produce a report in June so we can have timely answers around the clinical implications, the protection we need to provide for women and the further follow-up that needs to occur to help women who are concerned. It is not just about who knew what and when.

It is important and the House needs to take account of comments that come from an individual like Dr. Scally, if he has concerns. While we do not want to impede that, we also want to do our business. It is for the Oireachtas to make its decision and for the committee to makes its decision. I respect that but we also have to recognise that we have asked Dr. Scally to do an important job that clearly involves a wider range of expertise than we have. In striving to get accountability, we must ensure that we do not interfere with a process that is important, valuable and vital to the people concerned.

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