Harney under fire over delay in Monaghan death report

The Labour Party is demanding an explanation from Minister for Health Mary Harney about the delay in the publication of a report into the death of Patrick Walsh at Monaghan General Hospital.

The 75-year-old died while awaiting treatment at the hospital last October.

Staff at the hospital has unsuccessfully tried to find him a bed at another facility as Monaghan no longer carries out emergency procedures.

Shortly afterwards, Ms Harney announced the establishment of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Walsh's death.

Labour TD Liz McManus said that the investigation was due to be completed in eight weeks, but there is still no sign of any report into the matter.

"She made a commitment in the national parliament that this report would be completed in eight weeks," Ms McManus said.

"It now appears that it's going to go on a number of months over the timeframe, which she set out herself.

"She is the minister responsible and at the very least she should be explaining to the public why she has failed to deliver on her promise and what exactly the difficulties are."