During his time as defence minister Simon Coveney met with defence lobbyists – who’d previously talked with him about the sale of Irish military tech to the US – but didn’t record what was discussed during the encounter.

If Nelson Mandela was right when he said, “The true character of society is revealed in how it treats its children,” then Irish society, this state, is sociopathic.

During tense discussions this March, Temple Street management urging surgeons to resume spina bifida surgeries had to be reminded that surgeries were suspended because of alarmingly high rates of post-operative complications – including the death of a child.

The doctor referred to the Irish Medical Council amid the ongoing scandal at Temple Street Children’s Hospital remains a member of the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh’s medical board.

The father of a seriously ill spina bifida patient at Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street (CHI) was denied the right to participate in a review of surgery at the hospital.