Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It was, indeed. I was afraid to say that. He was an extraordinary man and I was very fond of him. We may have been of different political persuasions but it never stopped our friendship developing. I extend our deepest sympathies to his family. Our country is a poorer place today for his passing. He epitomised the importance of community and of public service. We will have an opportunity to pay tribute to him in the House in time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Senators Ardagh, Mac Lochlainn, Devine, Murnane O'Connor, Gallagher and Colm Burke raised the issue of the Scally inquiry. I have made it quite clear since this scandal unfolded that Government, the Minister for Health and the Taoiseach have only one objective - to get all the information out to the public, the women and their families. It is imperative that there is co-operation with the inquiry. The Minister for Health, despite what Senator Murnane O'Connor said, has said he will instruct and write to the HSE. The phrase he used this morning was "unacceptable and pathetic". We all agree with the Minister for Health. The manner in which the transmission of 4,000 pieces of information is being undertaken is unacceptable.

Senator Colm Burke is right, though. Those of us who have worked with medical records and know what it is like understand that we need to have IT systems based on one unique patient identifier, transferable from one health entity to another so that notes can be transferred. It is critical that the information is transferred in a manner that is swift, readable and searchable to Dr. Scally. The Minister has also said that anything he requires will be given to him.

The language we use as Members of the Oireachtas is critical as well. The inquiry is under way and an interim report has been delivered on time. As I said yesterday, all six recommendations have been accepted by the Minister. There is no obstruction or obfuscation by the Government - anything but. I agree with Senator Mac Lochlainn completely that it is about time people who are involved in the transmission of this information recognise that it is about the lives of people who deserve and want justice and to have the information given to them.

Senator Ardagh also raised the issue of Irish Ferries. It is distressing and disappointing that Irish Ferries has cancelled the holiday plans of 19,000 people. It is important that they receive information and that the director of consumer protection be involved. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House regarding that issue.

Senator Boyhan raised Garda recruitment. I congratulate the 200 new gardaí who are passing out from Templemore on Friday. It was this Government and the last one that reopened Templemore and commenced recruitment of gardaí when the college had been closed by a Fianna Fáil-led Government. It is an operational matter over which I have no jurisdiction, as Members will know. I would love to be able to tell the House there were 200 extra gardaí going to Cork but I cannot do that. It is a matter for An Garda Síochána to decide where they go.

Senators Nash and Boyhan raised the boundary commission. I do not have the information as to what the boundaries are, when the report will be released or how it will be released. All I know is that there is an independent boundary review commission established. The Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, asked that the report come back to him after no more than six months.