Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all those in the Visitors Gallery who have been affected by this sad debacle. I thank the Taoiseach for apologising on behalf of the Government for the failures of the State and the health system which let down so many women, with their husbands, partners, children, parents, grandparents and siblings. I especially thank two women, Emma Mhic Mhathúna who has departed and Vicky Phelan who did so much to highlight the terrible wrong done to so many women. I hope this very public apology will in some way ensure something like this will never be allowed to happen again. When people get sick, they should receive the very best available care from the health service, but it is clear that this did not happen for many. That must change from now on. What happened to so many women and their families is very sad. It need not and should not have happened. I appeal to the Taoiseach, the Minister for Health and the rest of the Government. They are the people on whom we depend to ensure the health service provides the required care for people when they get sick. When people are sick and vulnerable, the health service needs to kick into action and take care of them. It is clear that many aspects of the health service are letting people down and they have been let down. Emma Mhic Mhathúna who lived in Ballyferriter was let down, as were Vicky Phelan and so many others whose names I cannot remember. In many other aspects of the health service people are being let down. As Deputies, legislators and public representatives, with the Government, we need to ensure things like this will never happen again because when people are sick, that is the time they need care and are depending on us. I appeal to the Government to ensure nothing like this will ever be allowed to happen again.

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