Vol. 503 No. 3
374 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children the action, if any, he will take in relation to correspondence to his Department from the Dr. Michael Neary Support Group; when the group will receive an answer from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10286/99]
My Department has responded in full to all correspondence received in relation to this matter. The case is currently under investigation by an expert group nominated by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists on the initiative of the chief executive officer of the North-Eastern Health Board. All cases involving individual consultants are a matter for the relevant employer, in this case the North-Eastern Health Board and it would not be appropriate for me, as Minister or my Department, to become involved in an ongoing investigation of this nature, or to comment in any way on the matter.
I understand that the report of the expert review group will be completed as soon as possible. I am satisfied that the North-Eastern Health Board will continue to deal with the matter with the best interests of patients and their families in mind, having due regard to the rights of the consultant concerned.
