Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

In the spirit of my predecessor, I am also going to play the ball and not the man. This is an issue about scoliosis and spina bifida treatment. It is about what we learned yesterday at the presentation organised by Senator Tom Clonan, the heartbreak that was caused by the systemic failure of successive Governments and Children's Health Ireland, but also before the existence of Children's Health Ireland. The way families were treated was absolutely inhumane and shocking. I cannot even imagine what it was like because I did not go through it, but those stories would make anyone want to burst into tears.

That is what this motion is about. Some people might call it an opportunistic motion. I call it an opportunity to discuss this issue as quickly as possible. Last night, during the debate on the cost of disability, I referenced that presentation. Today, we have the opportunity to talk about it and, rather than have a go at people, I ask for a commitment from the Government today on the public inquiry.

The key requests for the inquiry are that it must compel people to participate and make documents available; children who have passed away must be included; young adults who have aged out of the services must be included; we must implement healthcare reform while the inquiry is ongoing; we must address clearly the consequences of neglect by CHI; and there must be a State appointed transition pathway for scoliosis and spina bifida. That is what people asked for yesterday. They want to see progress.

This motion mentions one individual, the Tánaiste, who as Minister for Health in 2017 made a promise that could not be kept. He was succeeded by former Deputy Stephen Donnelly and now the current Minister. It is the collective responsibility of the Government.

We have this opportunity and I would like to see in the remainder of this debate a clear statement of intent from the Government that it will implement a full statutory inquiry on the basis the parent representatives of the children requested. That is the only fair and meaningful thing we can do. I was inclined to abstain on this motion and I still am, but I will support the Government motion if I get that commitment.

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