Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 2

Written Answers. - Coroner's Act.

John McGuinness

Question:

175 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12 has responded to its apparent breach of the Coroners Act, 1962, in relation to persons (details supplied); and his views on the case of a person (details supplied) whose cause of death was registered as multiple and complex appendicitis, a condition his parents were not aware of at the time of his death and have only subsequently discovered to be the cause of death; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13522/00]

John Browne

Question:

181 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a response from our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12 on its apparent breach of the Coroners Act, 1962 in the cases of persons (details supplied). [13556/00]

John Browne

Question:

183 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the adequacy of the response by Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin with regard to its apparent breach of the coroners legislation particularly in the case of a person (details supplied) whose cause of death was registered as multiple and complex appendicitis, a condition the parents were not made aware of at the time of his death and have only subsequently discovered to be the cause of death. [13558/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 175, I81 and 183 together.

I confirm that Our Lady's Hospital has made a submission to my Department in relation to the persons referred to by the Deputy.

These cases, and any other similar cases, would fall within the terms of reference of the inquiry which I recently announced. Consequently, I do not consider it appropriate to make any comment on the matter at this stage. I trust the Deputy will appreciate the view that the independence of the inquiry is of critical importance and must be respected as such.

I am very aware of additional trauma and distress caused to parents as a result of these matters and I fully support the need for an investigation into these cases by the inquiry.