Mother and Baby Homes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 November 2022

Wednesday, 9 November 2022

Ceisteanna (99)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

99. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline his engagement and that of his Department with an organisation (details supplied) with regard to mother-and-baby home trials; the timeline of this engagement; the feedback from the organisation at those particular points in time; the conclusions drawn by his officials; if he will provide an outline of the briefings supplied to him at these points in time; the current status of the engagement between his Department and the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55901/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Following the publication of the Commission of Investigation’s Final Report, I corresponded with Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), the lead entity in many trials. I also had a meeting with representatives of the company. In this engagement I conveyed my view that all relevant parties have a moral and ethical obligation to take appropriate action in response to the Report. The timeline of these interactions is outlined below. 

12/3/2021	Letter to GSK CEO Re MBH Commission of Investigation Report
23/3/2021	Letter From GSK Ireland GM Re Correspondence
25/3/2021	Email from GSK Ireland Re Correspondence
25/3/2021	Internal Email Sharing GSK Correspondence
28/4/2021	Meeting between Minister and GSK
30/4/2021	Email Re Meeting Between GSK and Minister
31/5/2021	Email Thread With Comments on Meeting
31/5/2021	Letter from GSK Ireland
01/9/2021	Email Re GSK Information Service
01/9/2021	Letter Re GSK Information Service

The details of this correspondence were released by my Department through FOI in November 2021.

In my communications with GSK I urged them to consider the failures laid bare in the Commission’s report and respond appropriately, given their corporate responsibilities. In correspondence to me, and published by GSK, the company outlined their engagement with the Commission of Investigation and noted the conclusions reached by the Commission. They confirmed that they do not propose to pay reparations in response to the issues raised in the Commission's report.

Ultimately, it is a matter for GSK to decide what action they take, or remedy they offer, having considered the Commission’s findings.

I am aware that GSK have since publicised arrangements for persons wishing to access personal information which may be contained within their corporate archives.