Tribunals of Inquiry.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 May 2005

Wednesday, 11 May 2005

Questions (23, 24, 25)

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

65 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the basis of her decision to close down the Dunne inquiry into the retention of organs of deceased children; her proposals for the completion of the work; if an application for additional resources for the inquiry had been received from the chairman and the Government’s response to this; the date on which she expects the final report to be published; if it is intended to introduce legislation to regulate organ retention and transplants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15321/05]

John Gormley

Question:

74 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the Dunne inquiry is not to be published after five years; the total cost to date of this inquiry; her views on whether it has been value for money to date; if she will report on her recent meeting with the Parents for Justice group; when the new inquiry will complete its work and report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15364/05]

Jerry Cowley

Question:

141 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the Dunne inquiry has cost €20 million, is not complete and is being wound up; her views on whether the lack of public sessions, the lack of a special adviser and the lack of press media briefings by the chairperson, all of which were part of the Northern Ireland investigation, had a negative part to play in the result of the Dunne report; her further views on whether there are lessons to be learned with respect to future inquiries; her further views on the further steps that are necessary to prevent a repeat of this fiasco; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15237/05]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 74 and 141 together.

On 1 September 2004 the Government, following a review of the timescales for all tribunals and inquiries, decided that the post mortem inquiry should furnish its final report not later than the 31 March 2005 and that the inquiry would then cease to exist. The chairman of the inquiry was so advised and subsequently delivered a report on 31 March 2005. This relates primarily to post mortem practice and procedure in paediatric hospitals.

Total expenditure relating to the post mortem inquiry was approximately €20 million. The total legal and administrative costs of the inquiry itself were approximately €11 million. The remainder of the costs include establishment and office rental costs of €2.29 million, grants to the former Eastern Regional Health Authority of just over €5 million, grants to the Parents for Justice, PFJ, organisation of €977,210 and legal fees to Kelly Noone, solicitors for PFJ, of €800,942. The chairman had sought approval to appoint additional legal staff to the inquiry team but approval was not given.