Yesterday, two public statutory inquiries into scoliosis and spina bifida care and Michael Shine were announced. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has appointed facilitators to begin work aimed at establishing two public statutory inquiries. Remy Farrell SC has been appointed as the facilitator with regard to scoliosis and spina bifida at CHI. Lorcan Staines SC has been appointed to work as facilitator on the abuse carried out by the convicted sex offender Michael Shine. Michael Shine, a former surgeon, worked in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, from 1964 until 1995. In March 1995, the CEO of the hospital was made aware of a complaint of abuse against Mr. Shine by the North Eastern Health Board. Mr. Shine took leave while the complaint was being addressed and subsequently retired in October 1995. By the time of his retirement, he was already the subject of multiple allegations of sexual abuse. Dignity4Patients has been campaigning on behalf of the victims for many years. The organisation has long sought a full inquiry into the sexual abuse of patients and in the past year has sought a commission of investigation. For decades, victims and survivors of Michael Shine have carried trauma and sought recognition and accountability. Their strength and willingness to continue pressing for the truth must be met with compassion, seriousness and action. I commend the Minister for Health on how she has had to deal with issues that arose before she ever came into this office. Michael Shine retired in 1995, yet Deputy Ó Murchú blamed this Government for those issues, which is very strange. The Minister for Health has led on this and put the inquiry in place. Cheap political points will not help any of the victims of Shine. The Minister has done this with compassion, effectiveness and due diligence. She has listened to the lived and living experience of many victims, those people of all ages who were wronged and those who were wronged while availing of health services. We have to have a little bit of fairness. The Minister is trying to deal with issues she inherited. She has worked tirelessly over the past 12 months to put this in place and it is an honour and privilege to work beside her. The Minister is not the person who has harmed anyone. I ask for a little bit of fairness.

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