asked the Minister for Health what is the normal procedure followed in his Department when a complaint is received from either a public representative or a member of the public about any incident occurring in a local authority hospital.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Incidents: Departmental Procedure.
8.
The normal procedure is to transmit the complaint to the health authority concerned, with a request for a report and an indication of any action taken by the authority in relation to the matter complained of. An alternative procedure sometimes followed is to arrange for the investigation of the complaint locally by an officer of my Department. The nature of any further action which might be taken by my Department would depend on the outcome of the enquiries so made.
9.
asked the Minister for Health whether, when a complaint about any incident occurring in a local authority hospital or other institution coming under the authority of his Department is addressed to him and sent through the normal postal channels, such complaint is in all cases submitted to him for his personal attention; and, if so, whether this practice has been followed during his entire period as Minister for Health.
All complaints which are addressed to me about incidents occurring in local authority hospital or other institutions are brought to my personal attention unless they are clearly irrational. This practice has been followed during my entire period as Minister for Health.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, his admission in relation to an incident in a city hospital, and his admission of appropriate action having been taken, I wonder would the Minister see fit now to inform a public representative of whatever action he took in this matter, following the report of this inhuman incident in this hospital?
The Deputy is seeking to raise a matter that he knows I ruled out as a main question because the matter was four-and-a-half years old. The Deputy may not raise by way of supplementary questions what I ruled out as a main question.
Arising out of the Minister's reply and your ruling, Sir, from the point of view of the precedent now being established, I understand the Minister said he had taken appropriate action in this case; is it not possible for a Deputy as a public representative to ask the Minister what was the appropriate action taken?
The incident in question is four-and-a-half years old and it is raised obviously now as a matter for argument. I cannot allow a question of that kind because the Standing Order does not visualise that type of question.
Then a public representative cannot get any information?
I have nothing to say on that matter.