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

The Taoiseach stated the Minister had no contact with Praveen Halappanavar. He should have had contact with him and no one would have cast any aspersions on such contact. The Taoiseach's explanation this morning is incredible, and I find it very difficult to understand and comprehend. It is natural to make contact in a situation were a husband has lost his wife through very tragic and rare circumstances, and these circumstances are very rare in Irish maternity hospitals. I reckon if such contact had been made we might not be where we are now in terms of the progression of the issue. Neither do I think it appropriate to make public appeals to Praveen Halappanavar given the circumstances and the fact he is grieving the loss of his wife. There should be far more direct contact. It is also not appropriate that we split hairs between what the solicitor says and what the Taoiseach adjudges Praveen Halappanavar to be saying via the media. The Taoiseach is putting forward an extraordinary position that he is being manipulated by his legal representatives. Is this the suggestion the Taoiseach is making? I genuinely hope not. A suggestion was made that we are hearing different stories. What I am hearing loud and clear is that, without casting aspersions on the personnel there, the HSE being all over the inquiry does not convey the sense of independence or objectivity the Halappanavar family wants or, I suggests, what the wider public wants.

As the Minister, Deputy Howlin, said this morning and Senator Ivana Bacik said yesterday, there are precedents for the establishment of independent inquiries outside of agencies and at one remove from institutions. We have had quite a number of them in the past. It can be done. I have suggested another method, which is the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. I am trying to be constructive. This could be a potential vehicle for getting under way a speedy and comprehensive inquiry which would be independent and objective. Otherwise, the Taoiseach is facing the prospect of a long drawn out legal quagmire which will not satisfy anybody in a situation where the public is crying out for truth in an objective and independent way.

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