Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, who is aware that reports will come quite soon from the HSE on the scale of the medical problems that arose in the course of this period. We know that at least 52 cases have been reported but there may be more. I hope the report will be published as quickly as possible.It would be appropriate at that time for the Minister of State or the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to come to the House to discuss the report's findings.

I was on "Morning Ireland" on RTÉ Radio 1 yesterday and I heard the chief executive of Irish Water respond on the matter. There seems to be an effort there to try to shift some of the blame to Wexford County Council. I have spoken with the chief executive of the council and I hope there is no effort to shift the blame to Irish Water. The affected people want full accountability and a full explanation of exactly what happened and why, when all the evidence was mounting, their voices were not heard properly. They also want to know the measures being put in place. That report from the HSE should be published as quickly as possible and either the Minister of State or the Minister should come to this House to present both that report and the findings of the full review of the audit of all the water plants around the country. That would restore confidence.