Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 3

Written Answers. - Removal of Organs.

Derek McDowell

Question:

166 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedures put in place in the Coombe Women's Hospital to prevent the removal and retention of the organs of deceased children without permission of the parents in view of the recent controversy; and his views on whether a public inquiry is warranted. [11566/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The responsibility for ensuring that procedures in relation to the removal and retention of organs are put in place in hospitals in the eastern region, including the Coombe Women's Hospital, now rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. I have, therefore, asked the regional chief executive to investigate this matter and reply directly to the Deputy. In relation to whether a public inquiry is warranted, the Deputy will be aware that on 9 February 2000, I announced my intention to hold an inquiry into post-mortem examination, policy, practice and procedure in the State; and that on 4 April 2000, I outlined the details of the inquiry to be held. The inquiry will be non-statutory and will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will be chaired by an eminent senior counsel who will present me with a report of the inquiry's findings 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, on considering the report, will come to its own conclusions having regard to the terms of reference of the inquiry, holding a public hearing and calling witnesses as appropriate. I considered a full range of options with regard to the format of the inquiry and decided that the non-statutory inquiry, as already outlined, was the most appropriate. I am very aware that consider able 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 that the inquiry 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 the health services.