Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A total of 3,000 babies were born in the hospital this year. This is a tragic incident and we need to determine the circumstances, facts and truth of what happened in this case. The investigation, being led by an eminent person of international repute to be added to now by people of competence and experience with no association whatsoever with the hospital, is in a position to determine the facts and circumstances. I hope the investigation will get the support of Mr. Halappanavar. We must conduct this investigation and determine the basic facts and the truth about the circumstances. This is in everybody's interest. The case notes are there, the personnel are there and their contracts are with the HSE. This is a public hospital in our country and we need to find out what happened. This investigation can do this job quickly, efficiently and effectively. I hope everybody can co-operate in this regard in respect of the safety standards, competence, reassurance and professionalism that apply in Irish maternity hospitals. If there is something wrong then this investigation is in a position to actually determine this. They can be helped by the legal team allowing Mr. Halappanavar to have a meeting without prejudice with the chairman of the investigation, who is a person of absolute international reputation and integrity. I hope this can happen quickly.

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