Brian O'Shea
Question:356 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals he has to address the concerns of Parents for Justice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21393/02]
Written Answers. - Organ Retention.
I have carefully noted the points made by the person referred to by the Deputy. I assure the Deputy and the person in question that I have studied and reflected on all that was said during the recent post mortem inquiry debate. In my contribution to the debate, I expressed the deepest of regret for the distress caused to members of Parents for Justice by post mortem and organ retention practice, which compounded the pain of having already lost a child and my determination that this matter should be fully investigated.
When the Government decided to set up a non-statutory inquiry into post mortem practices, it did so in good faith believing it was the best option and that the task could be completed within 18 months. Regretfully, it is now clear that the work will take considerably longer. I believe that the only way in which the timescale can be shortened is to give the inquiry a much sharper focus. I regret that Parents for Justice has decided to withdraw from the inquiry process and I urge it to consider entering into discussions with me on how the present impasse can be resolved. I am open to positive suggestions to make progress. I have invited Parents for Justice to work together in partnership with me to resolve this problem. We must get to the facts, but we must do so within a realistic timeframe which does not prolong the suffering of bereaved parents.