Advisers failed to read legal opinion on nursing charges

THE special advisers to former Health Minister Micheál Martin yesterday admitted they failed to read a key legal opinion warning that nursing home charges being levied by the State were illegal.

Special advisor Christy Mannion and policy adviser Deirdre Gillane also acknowledged their culpability in failing to inform Mr Martin after they had become aware of the issue.

Ms Gillane said they accepted the finding of the Travers Report that “the special advisers to the minister might have been expected to be more active in examining and probing the underlying issues.”