Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Philomena Canning is an independent midwife. Unfortunately, she is dying. She has a terminal diagnosis. Will the Taoiseach intervene with the HSE and Minister for Health to ensure a settlement is quickly made with Philomena? She has been battling with the HSE ever since she was suspended from her position in 2014. That case has been drawn out. Now Philomena's life is nearing a close and she is asking that the HSE settle and that she be allowed access to Pembrolizumab and other life-enhancing drugs.

I do not need to tell the Taoiseach that the name Brigid McCole has haunted Fine Gael for decades. Please do not let the case of Philomena Canning become another shameful episode, involving very ill women, in the history of this Government and the establishment. We saw in respect of cervical cancer screening how people had to go to court. The Taoiseach said this would not happen. Will he intervene to ensure a speedy settlement and to allow Philomena to live out her days with quality of life?

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