Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Mar 2000

Vol. 515 No. 6

Written Answers. - Organ Retention.

Liz McManus

Question:

177 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to difficulties being experienced by parents, whose baby was cremated and whose organs were retained by Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, in their efforts to have the organs cremated; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the parents are having to cremate every organ separately and the anguish this is causing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6701/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I am advised that while at present there are some technical difficulties relating to the cremation of organs these will be resolved in the coming weeks.

I am further advised that the position as outlined by the Deputy is not correct in that there will be no requirement to cremate every organ separately. Some confusion may have arisen in the advice to parents which has been that organs from one body will have to be cremated separate from organs of any other body. This does not mean that each organ has to be cremated separately.