Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 4

Written Answers. - Post-Mortem Examinations.

John Browne

Question:

116 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Health and Children the mechanism proposed by him for the holding of an inquiry into the retention and disposal of organs and tissue of deceased children by hospitals without parental consent; and when this inquiry will commence. [9890/00]

Alan Shatter

Question:

223 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the mechanism proposed by him for the holding of an inquiry into the retention and disposal of organs and tissue of deceased children by hospitals without parental consent; and when this inquiry will commence. [10217/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 223 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, yesterday, I outlined the details of the format of the inquiry to review post-mortem examination, policy, practice and procedure in the State since 1970 and, in particular, as it relates to organ removal, retention, storage and disposal by reference to prevailing standards both inside and outside the State. The inquiry will essentially be conducted in two phases. The first phase of the inquiry will be headed by an eminent senior counsel.

The terms of reference for the inquiry provides that the inquiry will make its final report within six months. On receipt of this report I will table a motion that the report be presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children. The committee has powers of compellability and discoverability available to it under the Committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Act, 1997.

I am very aware that considerable trauma and sorrow have been revisited on parents and next-of-kin by the disclosures in recent months relating to post-mortem examinations. I fully recognise that all affected are anxious that a professional inquiry be conducted which will allow for the full facts to emerge. I am confident that the inquiry as outlined above will provide a new context in which all relevant issues can be dealt with and will assist everybody concerned in moving forward in a spirit of co-operation and mutual respect between patients and service providers to the benefit of all those who rely on our health services.