asked the Minister for Health the reasons that influenced his decision to refuse to hold a sworn inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the refusal by medical staff to give medical attention to a sick child at the out-patients department of the Regional Hospital, Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Hospital Incident: Sworn Inquiry.
5.
I understand that the Deputy was present at a meeting of the Galway County Council on 7th instant at which a letter from my Department, dated 29th ultimo, was read and noted. I further understand that a copy of that letter was furnished to him by the local authority at his request.
If he will refer to that letter, the Deputy will see that I did not refuse to direct a sworn inquiry into the complaint. I said, in effect, that I did not think that the facts justified such an inquiry; but I undertook to reconsider the matter if the Council, having reviewed its request in the light of the considerations set out in the letter, remained of opinion that an inquiry should be held.
Is the Minister's attitude now one of defending the Medical Association in this instance?
Is the Minister aware that a similar case arose about 12 months previously? I was personally involved on that occasion. The person with whom I went to Galway Regional Hospital was refused attention, notwithstanding the fact that no doctor was available in any of the doctors' houses in the town?
If the Deputy will put down a question, I will answer him.
Is the Minister further aware that medical men were present in the hospital and the child was refused attention? Will the Minister stand over that?
Does the Deputy want me to read the letter? He has a copy of it.
I have.
May I say that I very strongly deprecate any Deputy, even if he happens to have been the Mayor of a city, arrogating to himself the functions of the resident medical superintendent of a hospital.
Arising out of the reply the Minister gave in the letter to which he has referred, from what source did the Minister get the information that there was no public disquiet? Was it from the local Fianna Fáil cumann? The cumann said they would see there would be no sworn inquiry.
I had no association with the local Fianna Fáil cumann.
This is the Pontius Pilate act now.
I had the same experience personally 12 months previously.
This was a baby suffering from slight constipation. That is what all the fuss is about.
Will the Minister indicate where the diagnosis came from? It could not have come from the hospital since the child was not examined? In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I propose, with your permission, Sir, to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.