Concerns about Galway hospital inquiries
Senators discuss the proposed inquiry into the Halappanavar death and concerns about costs, independence and earlier hospital deaths; the Chair rules that the matter cannot be revisited in the same way.
I second the proposal of Senator Kathryn Reilly on the jobs issue. Several calls have been made this morning from both sides of the House with regard to a public inquiry into the unfortunate death of Mrs. Halappanavar in Galway recently. I am unsure but I know my party is seeking this and it may well be a way of doing it.
If it could be done without having legal costs involved, I would be enthusiastic about it but if it cannot be done without them, then we must be careful.
Another issue arises in this case. A woman from my area died in hospital a number of years ago when she contracted MRSA and it subsequently transpired that she picked up that infection from taking a shower. The Halappanavar case is highly emotive but we should remember that every year people die in hospitals in questionable circumstances. Whatever we do here and whatever template is applied, all other people who are bereaved must be entitled to similar consideration and to a similar system for getting at the truth. That is an important point of principle. When I think back on the many sad cases I have heard of, some of which were never mentioned in this House, I realise how important it is that we have a proportionate and fair balance in this case. These are very emotive and personal issues for families, who are really traumatised by what happens in these situations, of which we must be mindful.
In the circumstances, to proceed with the current inquiry is a mistake because without the active participation and support of the family, it is difficult to see what it can actually achieve. I call on the Minister to move away from the current inquiry proposal and to try to devise a system which will be acceptable to the family.
A comment was made in the House today to the effect that everybody is pro-life and would that it was so. I have heard people who are looking for liberal abortion regimes and who are in favour of under 16s being entitled to an abortion without parental consent and, unfortunately, one of those is the chairman of this inquiry. I am calling on the Minister to have him step down from this inquiry because a broad proportion of this population would not have confidence in him.
Comment on this
I think people who talk about sensitivity and treating people with courtesy should not be quite so hypocritical. It happens repeatedly in this House, involving two or three Members, and I am sick and tired of it.