Paul Murphy urges Dáil debate on HICWA and Temple Street abuses
Paul Murphy urged the Dáil to debate the HICWA report and press for answers over alleged abuse at Temple Street, backing families calling for a public inquiry. He said responsibility for the insertion of springs lay with the surgeon but questioned how harmful practices were allowed to continue and highlighted the role of a whistleblower.
Paul Murphy called for time this week to debate the HICWA report and to "learn some lessons from the horrific abuse of some children at Temple Street." He insisted the matter should be examined in the Dáil and repeated support for families seeking a public inquiry into unnecessary hip surgeries and other procedures.
He agreed with the Taoiseach that responsibility for the insertion of springs lies with the surgeon, but pressed the question of how such practices were allowed to happen and to continue. He pointed to a whistleblower, a series of parliamentary questions and "the reporting of the ditch" as preventing the issue from remaining hidden.
Murphy outlined the timetable for Dáil reform and committee formation, noting that work to establish committees would begin tomorrow evening and that the Government had submitted a list of committees to Dáil reform. He said the selection of committees was scheduled for Thursday morning, as agreed with the Whips.
He acknowledged time constraints in the weekly schedule, noting that three and a half hours had been allocated to the tariffs discussion following last week's Whips meeting. He said he would discuss with the minister whether there was an opportunity to secure a Dáil debate on the HICWA report this week.
Call for a Dáil debate
Paul Murphy called for time this week to debate the HICWA report and to "learn some lessons from the horrific abuse of some children at Temple Street." He insisted the matter should be examined in the Dáil and repeated support for families seeking a public inquiry into unnecessary hip surgeries and other procedures.
Concerns about clinical responsibility and oversight
He agreed with the Taoiseach that responsibility for the insertion of springs lies with the surgeon, but pressed the question of how such practices were allowed to happen and to continue. He pointed to a whistleblower, a series of parliamentary questions and "the reporting of the ditch" as preventing the issue from remaining hidden.
Parliamentary timetable and committees
Murphy outlined the timetable for Dáil reform and committee formation, noting that work to establish committees would begin tomorrow evening and that the Government had submitted a list of committees to Dáil reform. He said the selection of committees was scheduled for Thursday morning, as agreed with the Whips.
Scheduling constraints and next steps
He acknowledged time constraints in the weekly schedule, noting that three and a half hours had been allocated to the tariffs discussion following last week's Whips meeting. He said he would discuss with the minister whether there was an opportunity to secure a Dáil debate on the HICWA report this week.
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Transcript
I think we really need to take time this week to debate the HICWA report and to try to learn some lessons from the horrific abuse of some children at Temple Street. The Taoiseach earlier made the point that what happened should not have happened in terms of the insertion of springs and that responsibility lies with the surgeon. I agree 100%. But the question is how was it allowed to happen and to continue? Because if it wasn't for a whistleblower, if it wasn't for a series of parliamentary questions, if it wasn't for the reporting of the ditch, this could still be happening today. There is another related scandal in terms of children being put through unnecessary hip surgeries. It is why the families are calling for a public inquiry. I think they are right to do so. Thank you. But we need to debate it in the Dáil. In relation to the committees, the Dáil reform, as agreed, will begin the process of establishing committees tomorrow evening, as you know. The Government submitted the list of committees to Dáil reform today and we will happy discuss at the Dáil reform meeting tomorrow evening. We will select the committees on Thursday morning, as was agreed with all the Whips last Thursday. In relation to the questions raised about the HICWA report and agriculture, Deputy, I know you raised that again last week in relation to agriculture, but there is only a set amount of time every week and we have allocated three and a half hours to the tariffs discussion, which was the main focus of all the Whips last week, last Thursday when we met. But we will certainly look at seeing is there an opportunity to have the HICWA report debated in the Dáil this week. I will have to discuss with the Minister. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.