Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The reports of the premature and sudden death of Savita Halappanavar and her baby in University Hospital Galway are particularly tragic, harrowing and shocking to all concerned. We all extend our sympathies to her husband, Praveen, and their families at this sad time for them.

For decades Ireland has had and has always aimed towards the lowest maternal death rates in pregnancy and during childbirth. This has always been a fundamental aim of our country and our society. By any international standards we have one of the lowest maternal death rates in pregnancy and during childbirth, and certainly one of the lowest in Europe. That is cold comfort to Praveen Halappanavar this morning, however. It is because maternal deaths are so rare and this particular death is so shocking that I believe we need an independent inquiry outside of those already established, comprising personnel from outside the country, to establish the full circumstances of the death of Savita Halappanavar at University Hospital Galway. An internal inquiry in itself will not suffice. While the hospital group and the Health Service Executive, HSE, will conduct their inquiries, there is a precedent for a ministerial inquiry such as I have proposed.

Confidence in our maternity hospitals and services is paramount and absolutely essential. It is also important for the Legislature to be made fully aware of the circumstances surrounding this particular death as independently as possible so that informed analysis can take place. It is necessary, given the rarity of such deaths in our maternity hospitals. Does the Taoiseach agree that an independent inquiry, conducted outside the group of hospitals in question and the HSE, is required?

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