Taoiseach Brian Cowen told the Dáil today that Minister for Health Mary Harney has his “confidence” in light of the latest scandal to hit the health service.
Mr Cowen’s comments come following yesterday's disclosure that almost 58,000 X-rays taken over a four-year period were never reviewed by a consultant radiologist.
Two cancer patients received a delayed diagnosis as a result of the error. One of these patients has since died, while the other is being treated at the hospital.
Tallaght hospital’s chief executive-designate Prof Kevin Conlon said he became aware of the problem when he was appointed on December 14th last year.
Speaking this morning, Ms Harney said that while she had first learnt of the issue in December last, it was only yesterday that she became aware of the scale of the problem.
During leaders questions today, Labour’s Eamon Gilmore called on the Taosieach to remove Ms Harney from the Health portfolio in the upcoming cabinet reshuffle.
“She has been a very competent minister in other areas but she has been a hopeless Minister for Health and I think it is time she was moved," he said.
Mr Gilmore asked the Taoiseach why the Minister “didn’t appear to take it fairly seriously" when she was told about it. “I cannot understand that she didn’t go on alert when she was told this.”
The Taoiseach replied by describing Ms Harney as “a reforming” minister for health” and one who had “brought about more changes in the reform of the health sector than any of her predecessors”.
He said the LabourPparty could “scoff” as much as they like but he would “stand over” the fact there is a “greater degree of change…to the benefit of the health system and the people who use it, under Minister Harney than anyone else”.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny described the situation as one “abject failure” from Ms Harney.
“Your absent Minister for Health while this catastrophe unfolds around us is in New Zealand - but she has a duty of immediate care that when something is brought to her attention she should act swiftly and in the best interests of the people and of our country," he said.
“What did she do, she washed her hand of this, she closed her ears and she decided not to meddle.”
