There’s an institutional determination to defend court cases rather than address the concerns of vulnerable children who are reliant on State services.

That’s the view of Roscommon Galway Independent TD Denis Naughten.

Deputy Naughten was reacting to claims the Department of Health compiled highly sensitive information from families of children with special needs.

There are calls for an independent investigation into the revelations on a report from RTE Investigations last night.

It claimed personal information which parents gave in confidence to their child's doctors was collected by the State and could be used against them in litigation.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has asked Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to consider a review of policy following issues raised by the programme.

Deputy Denis Naughten told Midwest News that a full apology is needed to the people affected by this matter.