Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Health Billy Kelleher says the belated apology from HSE Chief Executive Tony O’Brien to a woman with intellectual disabilities will not reverse the damage and trauma she suffered after the HSE left her with a foster family, despite an allegation of sexual assault having been made by a former resident of the home.
Deputy Kelleher commented, “Tony O’Brien’s appearance on the national airwaves does nothing to detract from the seriousness of this situation. The events which played out this week point to serious dysfunction within the health service, which appears to be lacking basic communication skills and compassion. The fact that officials attempted to mislead the Public Accounts Committee is a source of very serious concern.
“The Health Minister has a duty to intervene here and establish the true facts of the situation. Apologies do not address the wrongdoing which was exposed by a whistleblower and the subsequent botched apology, and I am calling on Minister Varadkar to engage directly with Mr. O’Brien and to ascertain the chain of events which led to this unacceptable mess.”