The programme for Government contains a commitment to "establish an independent patient advocacy service", clarifies that the Government considers "Open Disclosure as an essential component of patient safety" and refers to "the recommendations of the Madden Commission on Patient Safety". The Minister may have seen the reports about a whistleblower in Limerick who has made serious allegations about superbug infections that have caused deaths, but without this being reflected on death certificates. The whistleblower in question, who has spoken to Deputy Niall Collins, alerted HIQA about this matter as long ago as 2014. Unfortunately, she feels she has been isolated, bullied and harassed by hospital management since these issues were raised and these serious allegations were made. If patients have died as a result of infections and this information has been withheld from the coroner, there needs to be an independent investigation. Will the Minister indicate to me when the patient advocacy service will be established? Can he confirm that the whistleblower's allegations will be independently investigated and that the whistleblower will get the supports required under the relevant legislation in this area?

I understand that the disclosure mentioned by the Deputy is being investigated by the Minister for Health. As Deputy Howlin will confirm, very serious obligations arise when people are informed about matters of this nature. It would be totally unlawful if someone were "isolated, bullied and harassed" in the manner indicated by Deputy Martin. It would be in breach of the law. I am not in a position to comment on the case in question. I will have to come back to the Deputy on the establishment of the patient advocacy service because I do not have those details to hand.

There is a long paragraph on the establishment of the service in the programme for Government, but that might not mean anything.