Health Service Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2011

Tuesday, 18 October 2011

Questions (476)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

494 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the status of an independent report, which was due in September 2011, into the practice of symphysiotomy; when he expects the report to be published; if his attention has been drawn to the anxiety the delay in publishing the report is causing to victims of the procedure; the steps he will take to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29894/11]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly)

My Department has been in discussion with the independent academic researcher appointed to carry out the research in relation to its completion. The researcher has advised my Department that due to unforeseen difficulties in accessing information sources over the summer she expects to complete the report by the end of this month rather than as originally planned.

As soon as the draft report is received my Department will further engage with patient representative groups and the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists as I am very conscious of the feelings of the women that underwent this procedure.

It is my intention that the report be published, subject of course to the usual legal and related considerations, which are as of now not expected to create any significant barriers to publication.