I have previously observed that the Dublin County coroner, Dr. Kieran Geraghty, shows a more practical appreciation of the steps required to deal with Clostridium difficile infections acquired in hospitals than the Minister for Health appears to be capable of.

Last November he was lamenting the situation in St. Colmcille’s hospital with respect to the deaths of patients there from Clostridium difficile infections.

Now, as shown by an Irish Times report, he is still dealing with the problem and is reduced to writing to that very same hospital urging the appointment of a microbiologist.

We must wonder what the chances of that happening are.