Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

It is good that we have the opportunity to make some statements, particularly after the announcement that a tribunal of inquiry is to be set up. It is welcome news, but I will be very interested in the terms of reference when they are on paper and when we have sign-up involving all the families and children involved. We may have made some progress in reducing numbers, but more children are joining the lists and at a faster rate. There have been questions about why children were bumped off the list before. They have not been answered and there is no accountability. In my previous contribution, I mentioned parents who have had legal action threatened against them for trying to advocate for their children. Unless these issues are dealt with concurrently with the tribunal, we are going to have problems.

I want to talk about some of the demands made by the children with scoliosis and spina bifida and their parents: children who have aged out of services must be included; there should be a transition pathway for scoliosis and spina bifida; the consequences of neglect by CHI should be addressed; children who have passed away must be included; there should be power to compel persons to provide evidence and provide documents; and healthcare reforms must be implemented while the inquiry is ongoing. I hope these can be dealt with.

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