Simon Harris was speaking after a meeting this week with the parents of Harvey Sherratt, who died in July after waiting years for surgery.

The nine-year-old, who had scoliosis and spina bifida, died in July after waiting years for spinal surgery while his condition worsened.

Harvey’s parents said their son was failed by Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) which was in charge of providing their son’s hospital care.

Stephen Morrison is a third-generation beef farmer, and self-described “eco-warrior”