Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. My understanding is 116 plaintiffs sued the Medical Missionaries of Mary, the congregation, and the HSE arising from damages from Dr. Shine's abusive activities. In the period, December 2019 to March 2020, the 116 plaintiffs formally discontinued their claims against the HSE by serving notices of discontinuance. The plaintiffs continue to pursue their claim against the congregation and its insurance company, Allianz. The HSE and the State Claims Agency, SCA, are seeking to recover the costs they have incurred in defending the claims from the congregation and Allianz. These efforts to recover legal costs are not an impediment to the settlement of the 116 claims brought against the congregation and Allianz. That is a critical point. The HSE and SCA have recently agreed to mediation in respect of the recovery of costs issue with the congregation and Allianz. The key point is that is not an impediment to the resolution of the claims by the individuals.

See this speech in context