Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, Aoife Johnston's death at UHL was almost certainly avoidable. What is happening day in, day out at UHL presents a shocking, appalling vista, all because the Government closed down Nenagh, St. John's and Ennis emergency departments and expected UHL to do the work without putting in place the necessary beds or staff.

I heard the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, quipping across the floor to Deputy Tóibín that the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, saved Navan. Why did she not save St. Bridget's in Carrick-on-Suir, at her back door? Again, this is an appalling vista. She closed the hospital with hospice beds and piddled on the people of Carrick-on-Suir and her own area, Portlaw, County Waterford, and south Kilkenny. Shame on you. Shame on the Government over the way the health service is being run. It closed St. Michael's, the mental health service in Clonmel, and every second week unfortunate people take their own lives because there is no place to go. People must go into a crowded emergency department.

With regard to the mid-west, I heard the CEO say on radio on Sunday that there would be repercussions and discipline. The discipline is that the Garda should be investigating manslaughter, at the very least. People should be charged with manslaughter, if not worse, because there was absolute neglect, uncaring behaviour and absolute bedlam. I do not blame the nurses and the ordinary people on the ward trying to do their best because this has been ongoing, day in, day out, affecting people in north Tipperary who have to go up there. They are coming down to Clonmel and going anywhere but Limerick. Limerick now has a name as somewhere with systemic issues and bad management. The Government is afraid to tackle senior management and there is cover-up after cover-up. This is not fair and not good enough for the people. There is no accountability whatsoever. There is none regarding the children's hospital – you name it. There are absolutely zero consequences for people who neglect. Minister of State, Deputy Butler, the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the other junior Ministers should take the blame and accept responsibility. They like taking the credit, so they should take the blame when they should.

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