HSE ignoring awkward questions

I read with interest the report by Fiachra Ó Cionnaith (Irish Examiner, Dec 28), that the HSE accidently sent a confidential email to the Irish Examiner.

According to the report the email disclosed the information that “... in some cases, the HSE withholds information from journalists, including when these details are available to the Press Office”. On Jun 12, 2012, you published a letter from me regarding the manner in which the HSE deals with false allegations of child abuse. In my letter I asked if it is the policy of the HSE to simply put away their files and take no further action when they come across cases of obvious or apparent false allegations.

This question raises a matter of public importance as, since 1998, a false report of child abuse is an offence punishable by a prison sentence of up to 15 years and/or a fine of up to approximately €20,000, and no one has been convicted under this provision in the last 14 years.