Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Rural Independent Group, I want to be associated with the words of sympathy. We were devastated to learn of her passing at the young age of 48. Indeed, the whole country is now one way or another in mourning at the passing of this courageous, heroic and remarkable woman. Vicky Phelan refused to sell her soul for a settlement and she refused to remain silent. Vicky Phelan was not afraid to speak out and she fought hard for some support in fighting her illness and looking after her family, but when a requirement of confidentiality was presented to her, she refused point blank. I salute her for that. She was a woman who knew the difference between what was right and what was wrong.

Vicky Phelan was the victim of failures of clinical governance, failures of leadership and management, as well as failures to tell the whole truth and to do so in a timely manner. This and previous Governments failed Vicky Phelan. The HSE, including its senior leadership, failed Vicky Phelan. This is just not good enough. The Government has failed to respect her wishes and requests. There has been nothing short of deceit and false reassurances, which is difficult to swallow.

After the death of her fellow cervical cancer sufferer, the late Ruth Morrissey, Vicky Phelan wrote two years ago:

I don't want your apologies. I don't want your tributes. I don't want your aide de campat my funeral. I don't want your accolades or your broken promises. I want action. I want change. I want accountability.

Is that too much to look for in this day and age, when we are pandering so much to what we are doing in this century? The change and accountability that she demanded must be delivered. Ministers and other Government politicians can no longer hope that their failure to act will quietly go away.

Vicky Phelan's spirit was untameable and her loss is immeasurable.

So many people have been inspired by her. She will never be forgotten. Her vision and her passion will never be forgotten. Suaimhneas síoraí d'anam Vicky Phelan.

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