Madam, – Why am I not reassured by the HSE’s explanation for its delay in handing over files relating to children who died in care to the independent review group appointed by Minister for Children, Barry Andrews?
The explanation, reported in The Irish Times("HSE admits flaws in child data collection", May 25th), is that the HSE is seeking "legal guidance as to how best to prepare the files for transfer to the independent review group" because they relate to in camera proceedings and raise issues under the Child Care and Data Protection Acts.
I do not know whether it is the stonewalling by the HSE, or its apparent belief that it is entitled to “prepare” files before they transfer them to the independent review group that concerns me the most.
Either way, it is time to question the institutional and professional capacity of the HSE to protect our children.