Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)

Let me make it clear: we have only reached this point of establishing a statutory inquiry into the failures in paediatric spinal care in Ireland solely due to the brave families and advocates who have forced the Government to act. I acknowledge that the Minister has listened to the families and they are taking it in good faith that she will do what they are asking her to do.

It should never have taken years of campaigning, media appearances and unimaginable heartbreak to secure a statutory inquiry. These families refused to be silenced. They deserve the truth and proper accountability. To do these families justice, this inquiry must be fully independent, legally underpinned and completely free from the influence of CHI and the HSE. There must also be compellability. CHI has resisted transparency for far too long. Only an inquiry with real powers that moves quickly, compels co-operation and establishes all of the facts can deliver the truth and rebuild trust in the system.

This inquiry stems from a broken promise made by Deputy Simon Harris in 2017 when he pledged that no child would wait more than four months for scoliosis surgery. Years of delays have led to disability for many children and for others, like Harvey Morrison Sherratt, it cost them their lives. Harvey should have had the surgery when he needed it. Instead, he and his family were failed again and again by a system that hid the truth. The revelation that Harvey was removed from the surgical waiting list and treated as a palliative care patient without any discussion or disclosure to his family is profoundly shocking. No parents should ever learn after the fact that the system, which was meant to protect children, effectively gave up on their child.

I again send my sincere condolences to Harvey's mum and dad, Gillian and Stephen. We are all mindful as we come up to Christmas how excruciatingly painful it must be for the family and other families as well.

Shamefully, Harvey is not alone. The Minister knows about Mikey Henry Benson from my constituency. I thank the Minister for meeting them on Monday, giving them time and listening to what needs to be done.

While the inquiry will cover the scandal of what has gone on in the past, we have to keep alive the children who are still alive today. They have been absolutely neglected, but they are alive and must be kept alive at all costs. We will work with the Minister to ensure that is done but there is a real urgency around what needs to be done. Other ancillary supports that are need for these family need to be provided as well in combination with the disability services.

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