A PUBLIC inquiry will be held into any alleged sexual assault of patients by former Drogheda surgeon Michael Shine, Minister for Health James Reilly has promised.

Mr Reilly said he planned to ensure that an Oireachtas inquiry into Dr Shine proceeded once the way was cleared through the holding of a referendum on the Abbeylara judgment this year.

Oireachtas committees have been unable to hold inquiries that might result in adverse findings against individuals since the judgment.

Mr Reilly told the Joint Committee on Health yesterday that following discussions with the Attorney General, they had agreed there could be an inquiry into the issue once the referendum was passed.

Last year a report by a retired High Court judge recommended against an inquiry.

Mr Shine was struck off the medical register in 2008 after being found guilty of professional misconduct over inappropriate behaviour towards three male patients at the hospital. He was acquitted on all indecent assault charges when tried at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court in 2003. However since he was struck off the medical register, more than 200 additional patients have come forward alleging abuse. A Garda investigation is continuing.

Earlier, figures presented to the committee by the HSE showed that the shortage of junior hospital doctors had worsened, rather than getting better as promised.

HSE chief executive Cathal Magee said 191 junior hospital doctor posts were vacant around the Republic. A fortnight ago, before a major rotation of staff on July 11th, the shortfall stood at 150 posts and the HSE said it would continue to fall.

A breakdown shows that 43 posts remain unfilled at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, 21 in the Mid-West Hospital, and 15 in the Midlands Regional Hospital. Some 53 posts in emergency departments remain unfilled.

Mr Magee said the shortages in the system would be greatly alleviated by the arrival of junior doctors from India and Pakistan.