Kenny calls for Dáil debate on Tallaght X-ray scandal

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has called on the Government to clarify reports there are thousands of letters referring patients for X-ray in Tallaght Hospital in Dublin lying unopened.

Deputy Kenny has said the public needs clarification on the issue and has called for special debate to be held later this evening.

His call is supported by the Labour Party and Sinn Féin.

Deputy Kenny told the Dáil that Health Minister Mary Harney, currently on a two-week visit to New Zealand, should make herself available to explain what happened at the hospital.

The Fine Gael leader said the case was the "ultimate" in "lack of accountability in the political process."

"We should have the Minister for Health here," he said.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan meanwhile admitted all of the facts surrounding the scandal have not yet been uncovered, and said some of the facts were in dispute.

She said the Department of Health were meeting with the CEO of the hospital to establish the facts of the situation.

Some 58,000 X-rays were never read by a consultant radiologist at the hospital over a five-year period.

It led to delayed diagnoses for two patients, one of whom has since died while a second is undergoing cancer treatment.

It has also emerged that thousands of letters from GPs referring patients to the hospital for treatment have not been opened.