Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

There are many issues in this that are very pertinent to the public. The former Minister, Deputy Martin, has claimed he was never given a briefing note by the Department, that would allow him to appreciate the significance of the charge issue. However, on page 44 of the report, this assertion appears to be undermined in paragraph 4.41. Prior to the MAC meeting on 16 December 2003, all Ministers concerned were provided with briefing notes on the issues on the agenda. The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, told Mr. Travers "he had read the papers relating to long-stay charges in advance of the meeting". He went on to say he was aware that "if the opinion and legal advices of the South Eastern Health Board were correct, they would give rise to significant legal, operational, financial and political implications". It is, therefore, clear that the briefing that allowed the Minister of State to draw this conclusion was also available to the former Minister, Deputy Martin, and the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Callely. Those Ministers either read the briefing and chose to ignore it or chose not to read it. Either way, they are culpable. Deputy Martin cannot claim he was never given a briefing which would highlight the issues. If the briefing was good enough for Deputy Tim O'Malley, it was good enough for Deputy Martin. The difference appears to be that Deputy Martin did not read the briefing. The Travers report appears to go very soft on the politicians. Mr. Travers has found wrongdoing in the Department and, unfortunately, Mr. Kelly has taken the hit.