Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is a little unsatisfactory. The way we do our business in this House is unsatisfactory at the best of times.

The Minister was given additional time to explain his thinking within two minutes. He got another two minutes but it is still a bit unclear. I welcome the fact the Minister moved on the candour issue and that it will go to the Seanad. Like everything else we would like to see what wording or what way the Minister will bring the candour issue. When I spoke earlier, I make the point that this is not only about the past. It has to be about the future and how we do things. It is about people trusting the system, trusting those working within the system and making sure that if people make a mistake they can admit to it. I opened by saying that I do not think anyone believes doctors are infallible, including doctors themselves, although we would imagine that some clinicians believe that they are the centre of the universe and they know everything. Most patients look at this fairly. They believe that mistakes can be made. If mistakes can be made people should be able to admit to them within the system and put up their hands up and say so. People mentioned the litigation route that some patients have gone down. Most people I have spoken to who went down that route may have been satisfied that they won the case but there is no real satisfaction at the end of the day. They are still left with the life-changing injury, the loss of a loved one or on medication for the rest of their lives. It is clear the system is broken and needs to be fixed. This is what the legislation is about. I welcome the fact the Minister has listened to us tonight and moved on this.

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