Mr. Tony O'Brien:

Earlier this year the number of beds open in the Hospital of the Assumption was increased from 45 to 50 within existing resources. I can confirm that at present there are no plans to open further beds in the facility before the end of the year. However, the position will be actively reviewed in the context of the 2013 service plan, as with all matters of this type. Perhaps an over-expectation has been created about this location with regard to a Deputy in the area, and I have arranged to meet him to discuss it in the very near future.

I wish to turn to the review under way in Galway and I will ask my colleague, Dr. Philip Crowley, to speak when I conclude. It is very important to stress that while we have an excellent national record with regard to maternal mortality, unfortunately maternal mortality is a fact of our service and as a result of this established protocols are in place for carrying out such reviews. A number of such reviews are conducted each year and others apart from the matter we are discussing are ongoing and incomplete at present.

The typical protocol at first line is that the reviews are carried out by the institution in which the death occurred, so the inclusion of members of staff of an institution is not unusual or aberrant. In this instance, those who saw coverage or read reports of the media event yesterday in which the professor who will chair the review took part will know he made clear that he had asked for persons not involved in the care of Ms Halappanavar but who had significant knowledge of the processes and procedures of the hospital in question to be part of the review. Consequently they were included. I welcome Deputy Kelleher's acknowledgement that their agreement to step aside, which I will discuss, is in no way a reflection on them or their professional integrity. Given the particular circumstances arising we were of the view it would be beneficial to bring in a distinguished international expert with significant experience of carrying out such reviews to chair this review on an independent basis and we did so. People will agree he is an excellent choice for the role. As I stated, he had a particular view about the resources he needed to be available to him. We are very anxious to get to the bottom of what happened in Galway and we recognise the necessity of securing the full co-operation of the family. It is in response to their concerns that we discussed the matter with the chair of the review and the Galway personnel involved, and by mutual consent they have stepped down from the role and will be replaced by others with expertise in the relevant disciplines from outside Galway.

A question was asked about the level of contact we have had with the family. Mr. Halappanavar is represented by Irish-based solicitors whom we have contacted to seek direct contact with Mr. Halappanavar but this has not been made possible at this stage. I understand of course the significant distress Mr. Halappanavar is undergoing and the difficulty that may be presented to him in making himself available to us. It is for this reason that a renewed effort has been made today and the independent chair of the review group has sought a meeting with Mr. Halappanavar.

I have an absolute obligation as the director-general designate of the HSE in any and all circumstances to inquire into an event of this type. It is absolutely in the public interest that we get to the bottom of what happened, particularly in the context of the broader allegations in circulation which are of concern to our population as a whole. Consequently I must make arrangements for this review to proceed. The team is in Galway. I hope Mr. Halappanavar and his legal advisers will come to the view the best course of action now is for him, if he can, to make himself available to the chairman so his evidence and that of other members of his family can be brought to bear so we can get to the bottom of what happened, in particular so we can ensure any lessons that need to be learned can be learned and applied.

We will have to consider how best to proceed with the review in the event this does not happen because, as I stated, I have an obligation to pursue this review. I can absolutely guarantee, for the benefit of anyone who may be listening, including in particular the friends and relatives of Ms Halappanavar, no attempt whatever will be made to avoid getting to the absolute truth. Whatever we find out we will find out, and whatever must follow from that will follow from it. However, we need Mr. Halappanavar's full co-operation and if he is listening to, hearing about or reading my words I hope he will find it possible to meet the chair of the review in his interests, in the interests of the review and in the wider interests of the people of Ireland.