Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand that, before I came to the House, the HSE informed the lawyers for Mr. Halappanavar of this change of personnel to be appointed to the investigation team. I also understand that the chairman, Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, is seeking a personal meeting with Savita's husband, Praveen Halappanavar. The Minister has a responsibility to proceed with the investigation to find out what happened and the circumstances in which Savita Halappanavar died. That is an imperative and I hope her husband will give co-operation to the investigation, which will now be conducted by people who are utterly independent of University College Hospital Galway. That is very necessary. The investigation must proceed to determine the accurate facts and the truth about what happened. It is in everybody's interest. The HSE informed the lawyers for Mr. Halappanavar of this change before I came to the House and the chairman is seeking a meeting with Mr. Halappanavar. I hope consensus can emerge from that from the family's perspective, taking into account their trauma and his grief. It is in everybody's interest that we find out exactly what happened, and from that point of view I hope he will give co-operation. The investigation must find out what happened in the interests of the public generally and particularly of women who go to hospital to give birth, so they know they are in a safe environment where the highest standards apply. The Deputy will be aware of the statistics over the years.

It is an unfortunate tragedy. A man's wife has died and nothing will bring her back. It is important for our country, our people, the family and everybody concerned to ascertain the truth of what happened. It is to be hoped this investigation can do that speedily and efficiently with the co-operation of Mr. Halappanavar, as the chairman pointed out. The chairman knows what he is talking about as he has conducted investigations previously. He has an international reputation of the highest integrity.

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