Vol. 514 No. 3
180 Mr. J. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the records, if any, available at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin, relating to all organs removed and kept by the hospital prior to 1997; and the plans, if any, he has to demand a full public and private apology from the medical board and board of management at the hospital to all families who have been distressed by the post-mortem practises at the hospital. [3952/00]
181 Mr. J. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if organs held by certain hospitals were transferred to any other hospital, medical school or pharmaceutical company inside or outside the State for any reason at any time recently or in the past. [3953/00]
182 Mr. J. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the use to which the organs held in hospitals were put; if the hospitals or Department gained financially from this activity; and if the Department will further clarify if these organs formed part of a commercial transaction with any other institution either within the State or abroad. [3954/00]
186 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Health and Children if an arrangement exists whereby children's organs are transferred to any other hospital, medical school or pharmaceutical company in view of the removal and retention of children's organs in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12; the institution and period of time for which this arrangement was in place; and the reason for the transfer of any of these organs. [3979/00]
187 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Health and Children if human organs have been transferred to Holland and Belgium having regard to the removal and retention of children's organs in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12; if so, the institutions to which these organs were transferred; the dates of transfer; and the fate of the organs. [3980/00]
188 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will ensure that all families distressed by the post-mortem practices at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, receive a full public and private apology from the medical board, the administrator and the board of management of the hospital. [3981/00]
189 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the dearth of information prior to 1997 in relation to the removal and retention of children's organs in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12. [3982/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 to 182, inclusive, and Questions Nos. 186 to 189, inclusive, together.
The Deputies will be aware that I recently announced the establishment of an inquiry into all issues relating to post-mortem examinations, organ removal, organ retention and organ disposal at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. The inquiry will establish the full facts in regard to past post-mortem examination practices at the hospital and I anticipate that it will address the points raised in the questions. I am currently in consultation with the Attorney General regarding the form and nature of the inquiry. This consultation process is at an advanced stage and I hope to be in a position to establish the inquiry within a very short period of time.
