Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Following the tragic and unfortunate death of Savita Halappanavar, it is very necessary that the circumstances, the medical issues and the truth of what happened in this unfortunate loss of life in University College Hospital Galway is determined. In order to do that, there has to be an investigation into the issues that surrounded Mrs. Halappanavar's death. The investigation will be conducted under the structures that apply to the HSE as this is a hospital which deals with the HSE.

I want Deputy Martin to understand, as everybody else will, that the Minister for Health has a duty and a responsibility, as Minister for Health, to the people of the country, in particular to the women of the country, in respect of the safety standards that apply in Irish maternity hospitals. This is of critical and fundamental importance and is something that cannot be let drift. For that reason, an eminent international expert, Professor Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, whose integrity is unquestioned, has agreed to chair the investigation. I want Deputy Martin to understand that the Government decided that the Minister for Health would request the HSE not to have any consultant from University College Hospital Galway on this investigation. That is not to, in any way, impugn their integrity but in the interests of regard for the traumatic affect on Savita's husband and family and in the greater public interest, the persons to be appointed to the investigation under the chairmanship of Professor Arulkumaran would not have any association with University College Hospital Galway and in the event that persons or medics in University College Hospital Galway are spoken to by the investigation, it would be in the context of them being witnesses to the structure, the tradition and the method of operation in dealing with issues in University College Hospital Galway. I understand the three persons who were nominated were not actually dealing with the care of Mrs. Halappanavar.

From that point of view, it is accepted that the chairmanship of Professor Arulkumaran is unquestioned and, therefore, the investigation will be utterly independent of the hospital and will, hopefully, be able to determine and ascertain the truth, the facts and the circumstances that surrounded this very tragic death as speedily and as efficiently as possible and in order that the Minister can fulfil his responsibility to the people of this country in respect of the standards of care applicable generally, but specifically in this case, in Irish maternity hospitals. From that point of view, the personnel to be appointed will have to have competence and experience and be able to conduct their business in a way that is acceptable and takes into account the family's views but also attracts the confidence of the public in the country generally.

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