Tipperary TD calls for an independent statutory investigation into whistleblower's claim

Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath called for immediate government action in light of recent whistleblowers in Ireland's healthcare system.

In a sitting of the Dáil yesterday, the Independent TD said that alarming protected disclosures have been made by qualified healthcare professionals regarding health policy, regulatory failures, and covid era interventions.

"This disclosure made in accordance with the protected disclosures act raises profoundly serious concerns, concerns which if true, strike at the heart of patient safety, medical ethics and public accountability. The issues raised involve alleged misuse of the end of life protocols, failures in vaccine safety oversight, and potentially criminal levels of regulatory inaction. I’m not here to make allegations against named individuals, or to pre-judge outcomes. I am here to demand that the processes for handling protected disclosures, especially in healthcare sectors, be urgently and transparently reformed," said Deputy McGrath.

READ NEXT: EDITORIAL: Tipperary can do it, but they need your support

In his questions addressed to Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, he said that there are reports of protected disclosures not being properly assessed in our healthcare system.

"Regulators and Ministers are failing in their statutory duty to investigate disclosures supported by data, FOI evidence and peer reviewed science are being ignored, misdirected and stonewalled. There is no independent oversight ensuring a disclosure leads to a timely and fair investigation, especially when those disclosures involve state policy or powerful institutions."

Deputy McGrath went on to say that whistleblowers run the risks of their livelihoods, reputations and sometimes their personal safety to uphold the public interest and yet instead of being protected, they’re often discredited, sidelined and punished.

READ NEXT: Councillors urge action on roads, funding and Thurles bypass in county infrastructure debate

"We must ask ourselves is the protected disclosures act fit for purpose when disclosures of this gravity involving potential loss of life and systemic health failures are effectively ignored," said Deputy McGrath.

"I’m calling on the Minister for Health, the Minister for Justice and An Taoiseach to confirm whether they have reviewed this particular protected disclosure, to commit to an independent statutory investigation about the issues raised and overhaul the protected disclosures system to include a simplified triage mechanism with timelines and enforcement powers, and ensure that the health related whistleblowers are never again left in limbo.

"A whistleblower has come forward with grave claims, supported by evidence. And the system must prove it can be trusted to act. If we fail to protect the truth tellers in our health system, then we fail every citizen who depends on it, Minister the disclosures submitted by a pharmacist and a pharmacist researcher, includes strong evidence of inappropriate and potentially lethal administration of so called end of life protocols in nursing homes during the first wave of covid, protocols which may have directly contributed to hundreds if not thousands of avoidable deaths." said Deputy McGrath. 

“The failure of the HPRA and the PSI to act on credible evidence regarding the dangers of covid-19 vaccines, including serious manufacturing and safety issues and the intentional suppression of informed consent by the HPRA. The HPRA was informed of contamination in vaccines, but did not investigate. A systemic failure of the disclosure process itself including ministerial levels, stonewalling and urgent safety data resulted in zero investigations."

Deputy McGrath asked the government to commit to commissioning an independent public enquiry into the contents of this protected disclosure.

He asked that the government to ensure that the HPRA, PSI and Department of Health respond substantially and transparently to the evidence submitted.

Finally he asked for government officials to ensure that the rights of this whistleblower remain protected.

"There is evidence of large scale harm, cover up and failure to act, lives have been already lost, we have a constitutional responsibility to investigate these matters." concluded Deputy McGrath.  

Minister Kieran O’Donnell who took the question on behalf of Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, responded to McGrath's questions.

"On behalf of Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, I’d like to thank Deputy McGrath for raising this matter. The Department of Health encourages all staff to speak up and raise any concerns they may have relating to potential wrongdoings in the workplace and the Department provides necessary supports for any staff member who raises any potential wrongdoings. These are matters I will bring to her attention."