The Government is preparing to establish a compensation scheme for around 250 former patients of the disgraced obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Michael Neary.
After a meeting today with the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Patient Focus said it was 'totally confident' that a compensation scheme would be set up.
The meeting followed the publication yesterday of a report into practices at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Co Louth
Around 250 women are expected to come under the scheme.
Patient Focus was looking for guarantees on a redress board following the controversy at the hospital.
Mary Harney is to return to Patient Focus with proposals within a few weeks.
An inquiry published yesterday said there had been unjustified hysterectomies at the hospital and it was difficult to understand how Dr Neary could have carried out so many operations without questions being asked.
Ahead of the talks Sheila O'Connor of Patient Focus said the group expected a garda investigation into the issue to be reopened.
Ahern apologises
Earlier, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said the report raised questions for the Medical Council and the College of Obstetrics.
Answering questions in the Dáil, Mr Ahern apologised to those women affected by the actions of Dr Neary.
Mr Ahern confirmed that compensation for the women involved was an issue, but that both the doctor and the hospital were insured, and the Government had to make sure the taxpayer did not pay for everything.
Opposition leaders raised the need for legislation to protect whistleblowers, but the Taoiseach insisted that rather than blanket legislation, the Government felt it was better to proceed on a sector-by-sector basis.
He also said the findings of Judge Maureen Harding Clark's report in relation to the hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, had been sent to gardaí for their consideration.
