Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this matter. The issue of symphysiotomy is rather topical and important in the north east but the debate is not confined to there. A number of people throughout the country are directly affected by it. There are between 232 and 250 in the age range of late 50s to 90s who are directly affected by the issue. The Government invited Professor Una Walsh to prepare a report or reports on the matter. One preliminary report has been tabled and released by the Minister for Health. We await the publication of the most important report, which is the second report.

The Minister indicated some time ago to representatives of people affected that the Walsh report would be released soon. Survivors of symphysiotomy were interviewed orally and have made written submissions to Professor Walsh. The question of the legislative change that may be necessary, for example, the lifting of the statute bar in the legislative system, clearly needs to be accelerated. The Minister for Health indicated his intention to appoint a judge, establish a redress arrangement and publish the Walsh report in August last. We await announcements on those fronts.

Unfortunately, some survivors have died even since the meeting in August last. Many of the people involved fear the prospect of going to court. Many are frail at this stage. Furthermore, files are missing or incomplete. There is a need to accelerate and address the matter as quickly as possible.

The reality is that much heartache and pain has been endured by the women involved. The opportunity to bring relief and some comfort to the 230 plus women affected by symphysiotomy exists now. This group of women require peace of mind and the opportunity to deliver this rests with the Minister for Health. If the Minister of State, Deputy White, was in a position to make an announcement this evening on the publication of the Walsh report, the appointment of a judge, a redress scheme and the progression of the legislation on the statue bar, it would be welcome. This is an urgent matter and I urge the Minister of State to address it immediately.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I thank Deputy Kirk for raising this matter. Following peer review, the independent report by Professor Walsh was submitted to my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, at the end of May last. The Minister met the three support groups representing the women concerned in August 2013. At that meeting the Minister proposed to appoint a judge to meet the women to facilitate decisions on how best to bring closure for the women concerned. Department officials are actively considering the issue and the Minister intends to bring proposals to Government in the coming weeks. I confirm that the Minister intends to publish the Walsh report when the Government has had an opportunity to consider the matter and approve an approach regarding how best to proceed. It should be acknowledged that this is a complex issue for the Government to address. I am aware that legal proceedings have been initiated in more than 100 cases but the Minister is not a party to these proceedings. In addition, complex legal issues regarding liability have yet to be resolved.

The Minister's priority continues to be to ensure that the greatest possible supports and services are made available to women who have had this procedure and to ensure that their health needs are comprehensively and professionally met. The women concerned continue to receive attention and care through several services and pathways of care put in place in the HSE. These can be accessed by women on request from a HSE symphysiotomy liaison officer. Services available on request include full GMS eligibility; independent clinical advice; the organisation of individual pathways of care; the arrangement of appropriate follow-up care such as medical, gynaecological and orthopaedic assessment, counselling, physiotherapy, reflexology, home help, acupuncture, osteopathy and fast-track hospital appointments where possible; and a support group facilitated by a counsellor set up in Dundalk and Drogheda in 2004 for women living in the north-east region, of which the Deputy is aware. The Minister is committed to facilitating a mechanism to help bring closure to this issue for the women concerned.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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We need to inject urgency into this matter. It has been around, as the Minister has noted, since 2004 and it has been on the agenda since then. We need urgency and we need it to be dealt with as quickly as possible. The sooner the Government considers the Walsh report and what is to be done subsequently, the better because we need to bring comfort and solace to the people involved.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Deputy is correct in that regard and I share his sentiments. I am sure the matter will be brought to a conclusion as soon as possible. I thank Deputy Kirk again for raising the issue.