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

Along with others, I acknowledge the bravery of Vicky Phelan, her family and all those who have come forward to tell their stories. It is extraordinary that the chief medical officer was privy to information relating to the audit, the availability of information and the deliberate withholding of information from women and their families but did not share this information with the Taoiseach, who was then Minister for Health, at the very time when both of them were clearly in discussions around the issue of open disclosure and a policy of candour. Can the Taoiseach shed more light on those matters?

Can he also comment on the fact that, as reported in today's newspapers, the author of fairly shocking memos - a senior HSE executive - who actually made a call to withhold information from women and their families has been promoted? The Taoiseach will know that for Vicky Phelan and so many others, accountability is at the root of addressing this scandal. They have been very clear about this.

A story that gave rise to many concerns that appeared on the front of a Sunday newspaper set out a scenario whereby Emma Mhic Mhathúna would be embroiled in a scenario best described as damage limitation. I raise this issue with the Taoiseach not to make any negative assertions against him but because his state of knowledge on those matters or lack thereof needs to be clarified in the Dáil. More specifically, the concerns now involve the Taoiseach as the then Minister for Health, what he did or did not know and the nature of his exchanges with the chief medical officer. If he withheld information from the Taoiseach, has the Taoiseach addressed that issue with him?

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