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TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has “apologised unreservedly” for his response to concerns over the mortuary at University Hospital Waterford (UHW).
Varadkar’s apology comes after a number of days of being asked about remarks he made on Tuesday about the claims.
Last week, concerns were raised about dead bodies being left on trolleys in the corridors of the mortuary after a letter signed by four consultant pathologists was made public.
The letter claimed this was due to “inadequate refrigeration facilities” and said it often led to the decomposing bodies “leaking body fluids on to the floor”.
Asked about the claims while canvassing in Waterford on Tuesday, Varadkar said that he had seen no evidence for the claims.
“I don’t know if the claims were true and certainly those who made them haven’t put forward any evidence to support them,” he said.
The South-South West Hospital Group had said on Monday that it had not received any incident reports in relation to the mortuary and had “no evidence that would substantiate the claims contained in recent correspondence”.
The Taoiseach was asked about this issue on Thursday and again said he “didn’t know where the truth lies”. Then yesterday, Varadkar said there “different accounts” about the incident.
Varadkar was criticised from a number of quarters for seeming to cast doubt on the claims of the pathologists.
Now, in a statement this afternoon, Varadkar has apologised “to anyone who feels that I did not treat this issue with the seriousness or sensitivity it deserved”.
“Last week when I was asked about the Waterford mortuary, there were conflicting accounts,” the Taoiseach said in statement this afternoon.
“On the one hand, a letter from four consultants making deeply disturbing claims about conditions in the mortuary and on the other hand, a statement from hospital management saying there was no evidence or supporting complaints to back up the claims.”
I did not want to jump to conclusions or to side with one group of staff against another without knowing facts or before an investigation was carried out. That’s why I said that I did not know if the claims were true or not.
“Over the course of the week, corroborating statements have come to light and complaints have been made that I believe support the views expressed by the four consultants. This is one I got wrong.”
“I want to apologise unreservedly to anyone who feels that I did not treat this issue with the seriousness or sensitivity it deserved.”
As I have said before, my overriding concern is for the dignity of patients in life and in death. It has never been in dispute that the mortuary is sub-standard and needs to be replaced.
“Planning permission has been granted for a new one and I am assured that it will go to tender and construction this year. In the interim, temporary measures are being put in place.”
Last Friday, the South-South West Hospital Group said that a mobile refrigeration unit would be installed at the site and would be available “within one to two weeks”.
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Leo you are wrong about a lot of things
@john: ffg out! Varadkar the lying sociopath fraud out!
@john: this falls way short of an apology. It implies and we are invited to infer that the problem lies with the general public who were appalled by Mr. Varadkar’s ignorant, insensitive and Ill-informed comments. The consultants had nothing to gain other than to try to establish a basic standard in the hospital. Management on the other hand were protecting their own interests. It is blatantly obvious who was telling the truth. It would appear he is no great loss to the medical profession.
@john: Time to stop giving preferences to FG (and FF) candidates in Local, European, and General Elections
Anyone know why there are so many anti-FG and to a lesser extent anti-FF commenters on the Journal? Looking at this article, you’d swear they had no support but the polls put consistently put them around 55%
@Deaglan Macgiollaphadraig: Well said, fully agreed. We have in essence been put on the naughty stool for not interpreting his comments the way he wanted us to, silly us expecting him to accept the consultants truths. What would they know about politics.
@Dow Dubrov: rte is the state propaganda channel. We have to post somewhere to make our voices heard! Ex fg voter , he lied about rewarding workers. Property prices fed getting worse. Ffg out!
@john: “This is one I got wrong”. He’s even trying to deflect from all other wrong decisions he has made in government which is a rather big list. His ministers hide when the pressure becomes too hot too handle. NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
Basically he blames people who ‘took him up the wrong way’. It’s not an apology. He’s too narcisisstic to still give a proper one!
@Doubtchya Boy!: Exactly!! You are so right!!! It’s a devious way to deflect, if I did something wrong and it made you feel uncomfortable angry etc I then say I am sorry “you” feel that way. Its basically putting the blame on you for feeling that way rather than my actions, this is exactly what leo is doing
@Charles McGuire: 100% no doubt this will affect FG in the local and European elections, re-evaluate from what they did wrong. Come the national election its the usual ‘we’re sorry’ we promise it’ll be different next time if you just vote for us again? (Like the battered wife who keeps taking back the absusive husband) inbetween giving Peter Casey enough air time to deflect and divert public hatered..and people will fall for it again…
Maybe you should step down rather than apologise?
@Mark Edwards:
Yeah and pigs might fly !
His minister for Propaganda told him to say this, its still not an Apology.
caught out on his spin
Remember a vote for any FG candidate in the upcoming elections will be a vote for this muppet. He is the leader of a failing government. Show this government that the people deserve better.
That’s what happens Leo when you get your information from the newspapers!
@Colette Kearns: In fairness to newspapers Colette it was a newspaper journalist that broke the story.
Remember when the elections come along..
@Thomas O Connor: starting at the local elections FFG out!
Mr varadkar couldn’t even apologise sincerely, the whole country said you got wrong.
This One? What about dragging terminal ill women thru court to get their Rights after promising they wouldn’t? Tis sad the Taoiseach can’t really be honest about life and death issues
Am I wrong, but didn’t he add to the original offense by saying that his office was too busy to investigate?
Ffg out! He lied about rewarding the early risers. Housing crisis , health crisis. Eight years in power , a booming economy and many people’s living standards are falling!!!
The wheels are coming off the spin machine.
Nothing but an attempt in a damage limitation exercise. His blatant arrogance got the better of him. As it always does.
Not an apology merely shifting the blame. Pathetic.
Only reason for this mealy-mouthed apology is because of the feedback FG candidates on getting on the doorsteps, the voters are sick of Leo’s spin and FGs repeated failures
@Stephen Kearon: spot on.
@Stephen Kearon: if only the membership of another party like.. say… Fianna Fáil.. Could do something about it all…. Oh wait… they actually can.. But they don’t.
His type dont know how to apologise they always think there right because of who they are
The situation was first reported in 2003. It was reported on a few times since then. Leo was Minister of Health previously. Was he clueless and unaware of those reports then or was he just ignoring them?
@Wade Wilson: just ignoring them.. Neo-liberal Thatcherism ideology.. Run services down, more privatisation.
Bang of ‘oh crap, I forgot there’s elections in 3 weeks’ off of that. Breathtakingly callous comments.
@The Risen: spot on, I’ve seen a few ‘Fine Gael don’t call here’ posters in Windows in Waterford City.
How much did this rotten government save by sending the smear test to America? One life lost has no price & for the brave woman that have to fight you for compensation & are now suing us.I can bet it’s been a loose loose situation for everyone, but so much much more for the families whom have lost wife’s & mothers! Do us all a favor and resign now! Your position is more suited to a person who cares for our country & it’s people!
Leo venture out of Govt buildings and his Dublin 4 comfort zone of media advisors and well paid spin doctors this week, and was unable to control the news agenda which is much easier in those rarefied surroundings.
Protesting farmers turning up with cows outside Cork city hall, was not part of the agenda. Even new job announcement and the Cork Limerick motorway,announcement, for about the 4th time did not go as planned. Photo ops with FG election candidates also failed to make an impact.
Leo`s achilles hell is exposed he`s uncomfortable and gaff prone on the campaign trail meeting `ordinary people`.
@Patrick James Walsh: Nailed it in that contribution FG are anti ordinary people
Is Leo saying he has never been wrong only this 1 time?
Just resign
@Paul Ruschitzko: Embarrassement? In the international league of Embarrassing Leaders , Leo wouldn’t even make the top 3O (Western world!). Pity the begrudgers cant get off their areas and vote/b involved in communities instead of farting words…
Plus : ONGOING National emergencies in homelessness, housing and health with no sense of URGENCY to tackle them,no sense of the traumatic distressing effects on ordinary people, families and children despite several Reports and warnings re same!This isn’t acceptable to the public, people matter,their lives matter!
Omg hes an embarrassment
ONE?!!!!!
Leo has got the #IrishAirCorps chemical exposure scandal VERY wrong too.
Get fooked Leo!!!
Varadkar also said there was “no evidence” that girls were harmed by the HPV Vaccine.
I wonder is he really sorry do? I really don’t think he is
He a fool
And for elections and canvassing
All they do now is drop flyers in your letter box
Don’t want talk to people in case they might give out
@Kipper O Keeffe: I’d say every FG candidate in locals is sick of Leo and his gaffs. They will pay the price of his arrogance.
Rule Number one= Keep your eyes and ears open and your Mouth Shut.
Works Wonders.
Missed the part regarding pressure!!
https://www.rte.ie/news/2019/0504/1047514-varadkar-waterford-mortuary/
From day 1, he and his crew thought they could spin there way through governing, they done nothing except show there insincerity and contempt for the Irish people, to be a good liar you have to have a good memory, failed at this as well
FG candidates must be getting a lot of grief in D4 and countrywide
This proves the Southwest hospital group haven’t a clue what’s going on in Waterford.
The group should be disbanded, they have made no savings since it’s inception.
How would you feel if you were one of those consultants?
No offence to families of those deceased but should we not be more concerned about the welfare of the living.
@Tony Donoghue: bodies decomposing in the hospital hallways isn’t good for patients
@Tony Donoghue: Well it kinda is offensive, just because it’s not your family today, unfortunately it could be one day! So this disgusting situation must be dealt with in order to avoid that!
@Karen Wellington: its the mortuary, don’t think there are any patients there
@Colette Kearns: Would you take care of a homeless person first or a deceased person?
@Tony Donoghue: That’s a seriously ridiculous remark!
@Colette Kearns: its actually a question rather than a remark
@Tony Donoghue: The younger you die the more lightly your are to have a postmortem, so you are probably taking about babies and children here. Waterford had become the regional centre for postmortems without any additional infrastructure.
@Caroline Otoole: I have to disagree. The majority of post mortems are carried out on people who die suddenly, to find out the exact cause. Therefore the majority of post mortems are carried out on the elderly as far less young people die suddenly as they are generally in better health than the elderly
As the old saying goes when in a hole stop digging. Leo should think before trying to be a smart ass in future.
Just like “not one more red cent to Anglo”. This guy is a disgrace.
How interesting
This one?
This “1” lol we haven’t the forgotten the 9999999 other ones, your government is shambolic, you are a useless leader and he cult of FG/FF needs to end. Ireland deserves much better.
This “
Can we not rise up as one and enslave these clowns in Dublin and take control of our country and it’s finances.
@Mr.E: Yes, let’s hope your idea of control is an educated, sympathetic and respectful one…..
Hey Leo
D’ya know the clock tower?
You and the rest of the idiots in Leinster House have got everything wrong only thing yous get right is how to line your pockets
have your say