Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree this issue must be determined as speedily, efficiently and sensitively as possible to find out the facts and the truth about what happened when Savita Halappanavar died. My understanding is that the HSE has been, and is, in contact through lawyers acting for her husband, and that the chairman is seeking a meeting with Praveen Halappanavar. I hope in the context of co-operation and understanding, taking account of the sensitivities of the family arising from the loss of Savita, that an understanding of the independence of this investigation can occur. It is necessary for everybody that the truth and facts can be determined. I have listened to a range of comments and read a number of statements from Ireland and abroad which determine as facts matters which we do not know to be factual or not. That is what the investigation will determine.

I hope Praveen Halappanavar will co-operate with the changed investigation team, which will be entirely independent. It is very important that his co-operation would be forthcoming. The immediate issue is to determine, accurately and truthfully, what happened, and that the Minister for Health is able to deal with that in terms of giving understanding and comfort to women who go to hospital to give birth so they have an understanding that the very highest standards operate in Irish maternity hospitals. I hope the connections that have been made between the HSE and the lawyers for Praveen Halappanavar and the wish of the chairman to speak to him directly will result in the co-operation of the family being made available to the investigation, which will be entirely independent.

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