Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Health if he will establish an independent inquiry into the manner in which the Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, the then Health Board, the Department of Health, the Medical Council and An Garda Síochána dealt with complaints of abuse by former consultant Michael Shine; if financial assistance will be provided to Dignity 4 Patients for secretarial and counselling support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29553/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In 2011, I indicated that the issues raised by the case of Michael Shine would be the subject of an inquiry by an Oireachtas committee. This was dependent on the powers that had been proposed under the Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution Bill. As I cannot now proceed as proposed, I am considering how best to deal with these issues. I must take into account the fact that Garda investigations are continuing, with investigation files having been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. I also understand that civil cases are pending against Mr. Shine. It would be wrong to initiate any other inquiry that might impede these investigations and possible cases. However, I remain determined to reach a fair and satisfactory outcome that will help to give closure to the victims concerned.

Dignity 4 Patients has requested ongoing funding from my Department, including funding for counselling services. Ongoing funding for any service is a matter for the HSE. The HSE recently granted Dignity 4 Patients €22,500 for one year's office supplies and voluntary support. The HSE advised Dignity 4 Patients that it could not provide any funding towards staffing costs, particularly given the fact that the HSE provides counselling services. The HSE has suggested that Dignity 4 Patients should consider working more closely with other similar agencies to continue to support its client group.

In conjunction with the HSE, my Department is also considering an application for lottery funding from Dignity 4 Patients, which could cover one-off spending.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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In the Minister's responses to me last week at the health committee and again today, he indicated giving consideration to how best to deal with the issues involved in the Michael Shine case. As he has already indicated, some of the possible options in terms of an inquiry or how it would be constructed may not be open to him at this time. What consideration is he therefore giving and what options do he and his Department have for that consideration? The Minister suggests that any ongoing Garda investigation or specific individual cases may be an impediment to proceeding in a full way. Is there potential to look at the distinction between an investigation of Michael Shine and an examination of the system from the hospital to the Garda and from the Health Service Executive to the Department of how they actually responded in this and the many cases presented around his abuse of young hospital patients?

I also stress the need for support for Dignity 4 Patients. I take some hope, as I did from the Minister's replies last Thursday and this morning at the health committee, that additional supports will be provided to help to anchor secretarial backup for Dignity 4 Patients which is a significant organisation providing important support and making representations for a body of men who need help and support. I urge the Minister to make every effort to approve national lottery funding for it.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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All options are being looked at, but it would be premature at this point to go into specifics. I am concerned that we need to bring closure for those who have suffered in this instance. I am, however, somewhat hamstrung by the fact that there is litigation pending.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Is it possible for the Minister to establish for how long this investigation by the Garda is likely to continue? It has been ongoing for years. If it is to be trundled out as a reason we cannot progress a logical stepped investigation, we must ask what is causing the delay. Why is there such an absence of progress on the Garda's part in this regard? We need to know the facts. Is there a multiple of cases being brought? We do not know all the facts. It was regrettable that the referendum on Oireachtas inquires did not succeed, one that I supported and in which I campaigned with the Minister. It was an all-party supported proposition and it is regrettable that it was not adopted, but the people are sovereign.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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That is another issue.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Is there not potential within existing arrangements in the Oireachtas configuration to allow such an investigation in this case?

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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On the Deputy's last point, I am afraid there is not. I share his frustration at the delay in the investigation. I understand it is not with the Garda, but there is a multiple of files with the Director of Public Prosecutions who is, correctly, independent of the Government. It is a cause of concern, however, that it seems to take forever to have a decision made on some files. As things stand, I cannot influence the matter one way or the other, nor would it be proper that I could. At the same time, I understand how it frustrates people. It frustrates the Government too, not just in this area but in several others where there are major issues of public concern.