Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

Yes, it would be my intention, irrespective of the form of investigation or inquiry, that it would be comprehensive in the way the Deputy has outlined, that it would be transparent and that it would be an inquiry that is also capable of making recommendations, as the parents and advocates have looked for. As he will be aware, in some forms of inquiry where information is presented during the inquiry, it can never be used in other proceedings. I am very conscious, for example, of a comparable model in relation to Limerick where there are disciplinary proceedings happening. That has never happened in the health service before.

The Frank Clarke report did not step over that, but a different form of inquiry would have stepped over that and precluded some of those disciplinary proceedings continuing. That is the balance I am trying to strike. Again, this is for a discussion with the advocates and with the person who will, ultimately, be in charge of this. It will be intended to have a senior legal figure and a clinical leader of this inquiry. It is very important that we get their perspectives as well on what is likely to work, what is going to be the right timeframe, what is capable of being comprehensive, and not precluding other proceedings that may be appropriate.

See this speech in context