asked the Minister for Health if he is yet in a position to report the findings of the sworn inquiry into the death of a patient in Fermoy hospital.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fermoy Hospital Inquiry.
8.
I have just communicated with the local authority about this matter.
The Minister has not indicated whether or not the report of the findings will now be published, which was the purpose of my question. Is the Minister aware that there is grave public disquiet in East Cork over his failure and the failure of his Department to publish the findings of the inquiry which was held 18 months ago and will he now say whether he proposes to issue the report or not?
The Deputy is under a misapprehension as to my precise responsibility in this matter. First of all, may I say that I had not the evidence before me until comparatively recently? A very serious matter was involved. It had to be given very careful study. I had to come to certain decisions. After a very careful consideration of all the facts my decisions in that regard have been communicated to the local authority and, no doubt, will be put before the members of that body.
I want to make this remark. There is a feeling abroad with regard to this whole procedure. I do not blame the people for believing that the whole business was a hook-and-eye affair.
Before the Deputy makes any insinuations of that sort he had better wait and see. He had better wait and see the report of the findings, before he makes any comment on what the people believe. After all, he cannot speak for everybody.
I think I speak for the majority.