Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her policy on the practice of removal, retention and disposal of children's post mortem organs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18376/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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In 2006, I published reports by Dr Deirdre Madden on the policies and practices relating to the removal, retention and disposal of organs from children who have undergone post-mortem examination in the State since 1970 and on other areas of post-mortem practice and procedures. The removal of organs from the body at post mortem is a necessary part of the examination of the body and the diagnosis of cause of death. The retention of organs may be necessary in certain circumstances to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of death. In line with these reports, no hospital post-mortem examination should be carried out and no tissue retained for any purpose whatsoever, without consent or authorisation.

An independent audit of all retained organs in the State was carried out by Ms Michaela Willis, on foot of one of Dr Madden's recommendations, and this report was published in 2009. Ms Willis's report demonstrated that significant improvements have been made in post mortem practice in Ireland in recent years. Her report identified many examples of best and excellent practice and it provides a strong base for a process of continuous improvement in post mortem practice in Ireland.