A Cork solicitor has hit out at comments made by the Health Minister on the threat of medical data being leaked

Friday, 21 May 2021 10:30

Minister Stephen Donnelly said some firms were "licking their lips" at the thoughts of suing the State over the HSE cyber attack

A Cork solicitor who claims he has received "floods of calls" from clients concerned about their medical data being published says he's astounded by comments made by the Health Minister.

Minister Stephen Donnelly said some firms were "licking their lips" at the thoughts of suing the State over the HSE cyber attack.

O'Dowd Solicitors in Cork published a blog post that said anyone who had delayed treatment as a result of the attack should fill out their details and the law firm would contact them in due course.

Solicitor Michael O'Dowd says he disagrees with the Minister's point of view.

"Our job is to represent people to, you know, help them be aware of their rights to enforce their rights as are necessary, no more or less than that. It's another organ of the state, the judiciary, who decides whether it's appropriate or not. "Licking their lips" - I completely disagree with it's look just making sure that the ordinary person is aware of their rights in this regard and what the fallout from it will be"