Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The answer to Deputy Martin's second question is "Yes". The three consultants who were named will not now be part of the investigation. Under the chairmanship of Professor Arulkumaran, different personnel who are competent and experienced and who have no connection with University College Hospital Galway will be appointed to conduct the investigation. This is an investigation under the structure of the HSE because the property, all of the documentation and all of the contracts in the vast majority of cases are with the HSE. This investigation will be augmented because of its international dimension and by having an international chairperson of absolute integrity and good repute and by personnel who are competent and experienced and who have no connection at all with University College Hospital Galway. In that sense, the investigation will be completely and utterly independent and I hope it will attract the support and confidence of the people generally and take into account the issue raised by Praveen Halappanavar, the husband of the late Savita.

I have had no consultation whatsoever with anybody in University College Hospital Galway or with any member of the Halappanavar family, either directly or indirectly. The Minister has had no consultation directly with the family either.

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