Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

Will the Leader pass on these comments onto the Minister? Many people in the House will be aware of the plight of the victims of the gynaecologist, Michael Neary, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, set up a redress scheme for victims in April 2007. Despite representations from across the House, 35 women remain excluded from the scheme for the one reason that they were more than 40 years old when the terrible injuries were inflicted on them. Everyone is aware that this is poppycock. Everyone will know of women who have given birth after the age of 40. Only yesterday, a friend of mine, Maggie, gave birth to a baby girl at the age of 43 years. It is unfair to have an arbitrary age limit of 40 years. I suggest we call the Minister to the House and ask her to consider re-opening the scheme such that redress is given to all the victims of Michael Neary and that these 35 cases are dealt with such that we can bring this issue to conclusion.