Cowen `vindicated' by hospital report

The report on the functioning of Tallaght Hospital "totally vindicates" the position adopted by the Minister for Health, the Tanaiste claimed in the Dail.

Amid comments from the Opposition benches such as "Where have we heard that before?", Ms Harney said it was not like the beef tribunal report.

The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, called for a debate on the handling of the relationship between the Government and the board of Tallaght Hospital.

"The selective leaking of reports on the functioning of the hospital by the Minister for Health has done great damage to the relationship between the Government and the hospital, and perhaps clearing of the air would be appropriate," Mr Bruton said.

However, Ms Harney said the statements were not selective. She urged deputies to read the report and, if then they wanted to have a debate, it could be arranged, but they should not "seek to jump in" before reading the report.

Mr Bruton pointed out that the current basis for funding the hospital was not the correct way.

The Tanaiste replied that the report made it very clear that no additional funding should be granted or sought until an effective management system was put in. Throughout the report it was highly critical of the manner in which the hospital, which was heavily funded by public money, had been managed, she added.

However, the Fine Gael leader remarked that the Tanaiste's comments could only add to the current difficulties.

Mr Pat Rabbitte (DL, Dublin South West) called on the Minister to say there was nothing in the report which justified criticism of the quality of work of the carers in the hospital, but the Leas Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, ruled the discussion out of order.