asked the Minister for Health whether the person who on 2nd January, 1958, submitted verbally or in writing to his Department a statement relating to the treatment of a post-polio patient from Crosshaven, County Cork, was at that date County M.O.H. for Cork County.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Statement on Treatment of Cork Patient.
The officer referred to was County Medical Officer of Cork until the 31st October, 1957, and as such dealt with the original complaint of the lady in question and communicated with her and with the Deputy in the period June to August, 1957. He assumed duty as City Medical Officer Cork on the 1st November, 1957, and was therefore City Medical Officer Cork on the 2nd January, 1958.
In view of the fact that this person did not in any way communicate with the county manager nor with any member of the county health services committee prior to submitting that statement on the 2nd January and, in view of the fact that he had no connection with the Cork County Council on the 2nd January, is the Minister now prepared to have this matter reinvestigated in relation to the ill-treatment of this unfortunate child?
I assume the Deputy will have an opportunity this evening to raise that matter in the debate on the Estimate, and I shall be prepared to deal with it then.
Further, in view of the fact that it is the Minister's responsibility in relation to this case to deal with it, is he prepared, at this late stage, to face his responsibility in relation to the ill-treatment of this unfortunate child? May I ask him that?
We already had an ample opportunity of discussing that matter and I assume it will be discussed by Deputy Desmond, at least, further on the Estimate. Perhaps I may be permitted to defer my reply until then.
Further, in view of the fact that the Minister has admitted to this House that a statement has been submitted, either verbally or in writing, when the person submitting it was not in a position of county medical officer to submit that statement on behalf of Cork County Council, is the Minister standing over the action of such a person in such a case?
Question No. 8.