Seanad Report: The reported statement of a judge during a detention extension hearing earlier this week was strongly criticised by two independent members.
They were supporting a move by Joe O'Toole (Ind) to amend the law governing detention for Garda questioning by ensuring that a detention period would not expire until a related court hearing had been concluded.
David Norris said he was appalled by the comments of a judge who had said he was not bothered by the clock. "He should have been, because as a result of his lack of bother, somebody walked out of Garda custody."
Feargal Quinn said gardaí had been blamed for what had happened, but it had later transpired that members of the force had given plenty of time for their application "and that the fault lay elsewhere".
Mr O'Toole said last Wednesday night, a person had walked free after a court ruled that a new detention order had not been signed in time. While gardaí had been wrongly blamed for what had happened, the problem had been with the courts and with the law.
He sought leave to move his Bill to amend the 1939 Offences Against The State Act, to stipulate that the period of detention would be considered not to have expired until a court hearing was concluded.
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During the debate on the Lourdes hospital inquiry report, Geraldine Feeney (FF) warned the same thing would happen again unless the Medical Practitioners Acts were changed.
Minister of State for Health and Children Tim O'Malley said he had been saying for years that the standard of education of doctors must be examined. "This report gives impetus to the Government to drive forward change and reform of the health area."
He added: "We have many excellent consultants and doctors but, unfortunately, a considerable number of them are arrogant, do not play ball with their colleagues and treat their patients in an unacceptable fashion."
Sheila Terry (FG) said structures must be put in place to protect hospital workers who came forward with information about wrongdoing.
Mary Henry (Ind) said whoever had stolen volumes of birth registers and charts which comprised the maternity theatre register should send them back at once, anonymously, if necessary.
She shared Ms Feeney's concern that three obstetricians had given Dr Michael Neary a clean bill of health.
Leader of the House Mary O'Rourke said she believed Dr Neary's actions had been born out of a wish to dominate women.