Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2004
110 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made by the Dunne inquiry into the retention of organs of deceased children; the date on which the report will be published; the steps being taken to address the concerns of the families affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15608/04]
View answerThe inquiry, chaired by Ms Anne Dunne, S.C., has been asked to review post-mortem policy, practice and procedure in all hospitals in the State since 1970 particularly relating to organ removal, retention and disposal.
Following consultations which I had with the chairman in late 2002, it was agreed that the inquiry would give priority to the completion of its work in respect of post-mortem issues in paediatric hospitals, with a view to furnishing a report by the end of 2003. This was to be followed by a second report on post-mortem issues in maternity hospitals and a third report relating to other hospitals. In recent correspondence, the inquiry has informed me that it has not proved possible to complete the report on paediatric hospitals within that time frame as matters have taken longer to conclude than previously anticipated.
The inquiry advises that, with some exceptions, the information gathering in paediatric hospitals is complete and the issue of analysing the information and establishing which matters remain in dispute has been concluded. The inquiry must now deal with the resolution of matters in dispute and the conclusion of the report. This involves: communication to participants of matters in dispute; written evidence on matters in dispute; such oral hearings as are necessary on matters in dispute; resolution of such matters; opportunity for participants to make submissions where the report proposes to make criticisms. The inquiry further advises that it has at all times kept in mind the need to be in a position to proceed with its work regarding the maternity hospitals as soon as the paediatric hospitals report has been completed. The inquiry has, therefore, continued to work in this regard to ensure that all documentation will be available to the inquiry when required. Preparation for report on other hospitals continues but the primary concern of the inquiry at present is the completion of the report on paediatric hospitals.
Despite the fact that Parents for Justice, PFJ, the organisation representing a number of families affected by the retention of organs, decided to withdraw from the inquiry process in 2002, my Department has continued to fund it, to assist it in providing support to families coming to terms with the issues involved in organ retention. To date since 2000, the sum of €814,011 has been granted to PFJ.
