Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 9: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is the policy of her Department to instruct doctors or Consultants not to speak to media in relation to general issues in hospitals;her views on such censorship by her Department or Health Service Executive; the action she will take in cases where it applies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17512/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department has not issued any such instruction to doctors or Consultants. Furthermore the Health Service Executive has informed my Department that it has not issued any such instruction to doctors or Consultants. The HSE has also informed me that media protocols for all HSE employees are currently being finalised and will be published shortly. Media protocols in relation to the Health Services centre very much on patient confidentiality. The HSE is committed to a policy of transparency in all its dealings with the media.