Minister Harris fails to fulfil promise to meet with whistleblower

Minister Harris fails to fulfil promise to meet with whistleblower - Tóibín

Deputy Tóibín stated:

"In recent days I have been alerted to a serious development in the cervical check scandal particularly in relation to the MacCraith report.

“I've been contacted by the whistle-blower at the centre of that story regarding the IT issue at Quest Diagnostics -Sharon Butler Hughes. She has campaigned long and hard for the women of Ireland and has done a huge service in terms of encouraging transparency from Cervical Check and exposing HSE, Laboratory and Departmental failures on this front. Last year I raised her concerns about the Department's account of events as outlined in the MacCraith report. At that time the Minister vowed to meet with Ms Butler Hughes.

"The Minister stated clearly to me, at the Health Committee meeting on 2nd October 2019 that he would meet Sharon, but this did not happen. (For footage of the exchange see Wednesday 2nd October 2019 committee meeting, from 2:49:45.)

“However it’s been brought to my attention that the promised meeting was cancelled mere hours before it was to take place. The reason cited for the cancellation of the meeting is a major cause for alarm. I have seen the letters and emails. Department officials told Ms Butler Hughes that the meeting had been cancelled on foot of legal advice pertaining to a case she was taking against Cervical Check and Quest Diagnostics.

“Sharon Butler Hughes and I have serious concerns around all this and we want answers.

How did the Department learn of this letter of claim?

Is there a breach of GDPR here?

How did the letter of claim, the content of which appears to have been leaked to the Department/Minister, have any bearing or effect on the meeting between Sharon and the Minister, given that the claim was not being made against the Minister?

"Ms Butler Hughes deserves answers to these questions.

"Last week Aontú launched a petition calling for the resignation of Simon Harris. It outlines the many failures of the health service which is crumbling beneath an incompetent Health Minister whose attitudes towards whistle-blowers and patients leaves a lot to be desired."

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.