Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is sad that we find ourselves at this juncture again, particularly because there have been a number of tragedies in the health service over the past number of years. There was the cervical screening campaign. There were issues where results were misread or improperly read. There were a number of other peculiar procedures that took place in this country, where women were subjected to some very crude procedures. Thankfully, they no longer happen, but they did happen at that time.

This situation is particularly tragic because it affects children. It affects children who, in the first instance, knew they were different. They were suffering in silence. They knew they were different from their colleagues, who were able-bodied. They presumed and were led to believe that help was at hand and that it would soon come. This issue was raised at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health by virtually every member, where we had a number of discussions and briefings on it. Strangely, however, in the last 12 months, very little information came our way. No information came our way at all, despite the fact that the issue was raised on numerous occasions by different Members of the House, including the Cathaoirleach of the committee and others. I myself raised it on numerous occasions because no information was coming our way. I have sympathy for the Minister and the Ministers of State for the situation in which they find themselves. We could not get information that should have been readily available. It appears that the Minister did not get the information that should have been readily available at a much earlier stage.

There is also the issue of the procedures that took place, how they were approved, why they were approved and by whom they were approved. For instance, how did non-EU-approved instruments come to be used in the course of the surgery? I cannot understand how that could happen, because there have been situations in the past where not only were the EU criteria observed in full, but in the degree to which the Irish authorities scrutinised them they had been exceeded. I do not think that was a bad thing. It did not help in many of the cases where patients were concerned, and it involved costs.

In this situation, the first thing one must remember is the tragic consequences for the parents who were bereaved. After all, they hoped, too, to see an end to their suffering and to their children’s suffering. It was a natural consequence after such a long time, and after being on such a long waiting list, where there was so little information in the public arena, that their bereavement has been accentuated by the lack of any kind of consultation, explanation and dialogue with the parents, families and advocate groups.

In this situation, everybody knows they know best themselves, but they did not know best.

There should have been ongoing consultation with the advocacy groups. It still needs to be ongoing, not only in respect of this situation, but in respect of many other situations that might come to light.

This is a sorry time. We are visiting again an area that involves everyone in the country, as public health is a vital issue. The system failed the patients, their families and the professions. The system did not work, but it needs to, particularly where there are vulnerable people like children. These children know that there is something different about the way in which they go about their lives. They are not too sure about the cause of that, and they are certainly not too sure about why resolving it takes so long. How is this area handled in other jurisdictions? To what extent have we or the authorities checked other jurisdictions, to what extent are the outcomes there monitored and to what extent have they been put into operation in Ireland where they should be?

There are many children still awaiting procedures for spina bifida and scoliosis. That is particularly sad for people and their families who have been affected by these afflictions for so long. At a time when progress was in sight, we suddenly suffered a downer once again and the whole thing fell into disrepute.

I understand the frustration of the Minister and Minister of State. The lack of information was such that not only did they not get information, but neither did the health committee, which is supposed to be responsible to the House for issues of that nature and to be able to influence in a meaningful and positive way what should take place and when. I pay tribute to my colleagues on the committee, of whom there are four in the Chamber at the moment. It was not for want of their asking. The request was made several times, and the issues were pointed out several times. There is not much sense in having an Oireachtas committee, whose members are allegedly elected to do a job, unless there is a recognition by those involved in a situation that they must deliver and respond. Otherwise, we are at nothing.

We should not have to have this debate. It should not need to happen again, and I hope it does not. In deference to the parents and children who have been affected, I hope that we can point to what comes from this debate and the ongoing review and say that we have put an end to indecision and to the use of devices that are not allowed in the EU. I cannot understand how that last happened in the first place. I hope that this debate sets the precedent for the end of such situations.

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