Mitchell attacks Minister on autopsy delay

Fine Gael health spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell TD today questioned the delay in releasing full information on the autopsy findings and tests to determine the source of the legionnallae bug in Waterford Regional Hospital.

"Yesterday we were reassured that this was just an isolated case and that the source had been established. Today we learn that there was a previous case, which was not reported to the relevant authorities," said Deputy Mitchell.

"Has the Minister not learned anything from last week's SARS communications fiasco? Is this delay just another attempt to withhold information and mislead the public?

"Minister Martin is presiding over the slow death of the Irish Health Service and this is further proof that he is not up to the job," she added.