Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. When a family comes forward like this and identifies themselves, not only can their individual case be discussed, it must be discussed. This is not a reference to the Minister of State, but I saw it employed as a rhetorical device by previous Ministers and, in particular, the HSE, when they say that they cannot comment on individual cases. However, when a family comes forward, not only can they comment, they must comment on individual cases. It happens in rape cases, where survivors give up their anonymity to raise a particular issue. That is what this family is doing. I hope that in future the HSE will not rely on this rhetorical device to add insult to injury, and moral injury, to the distress being experienced by families.

The window of opportunity for Mikey is closing. I implore the Minister of State to please communicate to the Minister that there is an opportunity to assist this family. If he and I can do something, let us do it. We can devolve authority to the HSE and to CHI but we cannot devolve responsibility. We are in a position to do something for Penny and Mikey. Let us do it.

We could deal with many of these issues at committees. We need to have the committees re-established. Again, that is not a criticism of the Minister of State. We should prevail upon all our colleagues in the House to resolve the issues and get committees up and running, so we can really get to the heart of these issues and matters.