asked the Minister for Health if he will order a public inquiry to be held by inspectors from his Department into the death of a patient from Shannon Street, Mountrath, County Laois, which took place in Dublin on 10th November, 1969, as a result of receiving a fall in the County Hospital, Portlaoise, on 8th November, 1969, as it was revealed at the inquest that the bell system which enabled patients to call attention was not working on this occasion; and if in view of public uneasiness he will cause such inquiry to be held at the earliest possible date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Death of Hospital Patient.
11.
I have now received reports on this matter and these are being examined urgently in my Department. When this examination is completed I will consider what action I should take and I will inform the Deputy of my decision.
In view of the outcome of the inquest on this person does the Minister not think that it would be desirable in the public interest to have an inquiry conducted into all the circumstances?
We are examining this whole matter. I do not want to say anything about it, because it would be unfair to the people concerned if I made a comment, until we have examined the reports very closely.
Can the Minister give an assurance that there will not be a long delay in issuing a report?
I would not think so because the alleged facts as revealed to me are not very complicated.