Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While someone within the hospital group is being blamed, I want to know his or her name. How much did the Health Partnership group get for this report that has no status but which scares the people of the north west? Of course it scares us all and we are distraught to think that in secret, had it not been brought out by Fianna Fáil, somebody under the Minister's control commissioned a report that has no status, wasted the public's money and scared the people of the north west.

If it is the case that there is nothing to worry about, why does the Government's amendment not state that obstetrician-led services will be maintained in Letterkenny, Sligo, Castlebar and Portiuncula? It does not state this. Most worryingly, it states this matter will be examined in a national context and that the Government will not be driven by any local considerations. Senator Henry should note this is what frightens women, namely, the potential for downgrade. I find it to be humorous in the extreme that the Minister, Deputy Reilly, who in opposition was the champion of the patient, takes such issue with me bringing into the public domain a report that the buck stops with him. When he abolished the HSE board, he stated that he was taking control. Therefore, he should take responsibility and should provide the name of the person who commissioned the report and outline what were its terms of reference. Did the Secretary General of the Department of Health, the Minister, his special adviser or Mr. Bill Maher know about it? If it is the case, as the Minister says, that this report was not sanctioned by him, then heads must roll on this issue.

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