Covid investigation for Bartley-Meehan family
Deputy Tóibín raised Mary Bartley-Meehan’s distress over her husband’s death and demanded an investigation with power to compel evidence. Deputy Butler said the issue relates to the HIQA Bill and expert panel work, but any broader investigation is for Government.
Mary Bartley-Meehan lost her son and husband to Covid-19. When her husband, Ultan, died, his face was discoloured with black, congealed blood. It had become infected and, shockingly, his face had become infested with maggots. The Minister for Health, the Department of Health, the HSE, HIQA and the Ombudsman have all so far refused to investigate what happened. Practically every second night, Mary has nightmares about that infestation. She said to me yesterday that she hopes she does not die without them saying sorry to her. Mary is just one of thousands of families who lost loved ones during Covid-19 in nursing homes. North of the Border we see the Covid inquiry is in full swing. We see the hypocrisy of Michelle O'Neill laid bare in relation to that, but in this part of Ireland we do not have a Covid inquiry, we do not have terms of reference and we do not have a Government that has any will to carry out this investigation. Some 2,300 lives were lost in the nursing home sector during that period. Why does this Government not want to investigate what it did in regard to Covid?
Comment on this
Will the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, confirm to me today that there will be an investigation-----
Comment on this
-----with the powers to compel papers and the people before the end of this Government?
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Tóibín for his question. He raised Mrs. Bartley-Meehan yesterday evening in the debate on the health Bill giving new powers to HIQA to go into private and voluntary nursing homes and to access details. The Bill is a direct response to the expert panel that was put in place during that horrendous time for many people in nursing homes. I met Mrs. Bartley-Meehan in person and worked with her on a couple of issues but I will not discuss them here on the floor of the Dáil. In response to the Deputy's substantive question, that is a decision for the Government.
Comment on this
I apologised to Mrs. Bartley-Meehan in person.