Medical Inquiries.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2005

Tuesday, 4 October 2005

Ceisteanna (148)

Mary Wallace

Ceist:

226 Ms M. Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the report of the Lourdes Hospital inquiry; if she will provide clarification on the present position regarding a redress board in view of the delay in publishing this report; if she will further provide any information arising from the news report this week regarding copies of some missing files now being available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26230/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

My Department is advised by the Lourdes Hospital inquiry that the report of the inquiry is at an advanced stage and is going through a necessary legal process before it will be furnished to me. Last March, I met representatives of Patient Focus, a group representing a number of patients who attended the maternity unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. I advised the group that I would await the report of the inquiry before consulting the Government on the request for the establishment of a redress board. I intend to meet the group again following receipt of the report of the inquiry.

In terms of the issue raised by the Deputy concerning missing files, this is being dealt with by the Garda Síochána. Accordingly, my Department has requested a report on the matter from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and I will revert to the Deputy when the report is received.