Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá a fhios ag an Taoiseach go bhfuil a lán daoine míshásta leis an slí ina bhfuil an Rialtas ag déileáil le bás Savita Halappanavar. Go háirithe, tá a fear céile agus a teaghlach an-mhíshásta. Leis an bhfreagra a thug an Taoiseach bomaite ó shin rinne sé meancóg eile sa chás bhrónach seo. I regret to say the Government handling of the inquiry into the death of Ms Savita Halappanavar has been ill-judged and mismanaged. As we now know, Savita died following a miscarriage at Galway University Hospital on 20 October. However this was not made public until Wednesday, 14 November when her husband Praveen spoke to the media. He made it clear he wanted a full inquiry into Savita's death. Last Friday, according to the media, the Minister for Health indicated the family was being consulted on the terms of reference of the inquiry, but this morning the solicitor for Praveen stated the initial investigation team, including three members from Galway University Hospital was put in place without consultation with the family. I simply do not understand why the Taoiseach signed off on an inquiry without the consent of Savita's family, particularly when the Minister for Health stated they were being consulted.

Yesterday, the Taoiseach accepted the Government had made a serious error of judgment by reversing the decision to involve three people from the hospital where Savita died. I know this casts no aspersions on those people. Yesterday, I asked the Taoiseach to ensure there was prior consultation with the family. I spelled out this, and the logic behind it, in some detail. However, it is now obvious there was no prior consultation or proper consultation. It seems very obvious that if Praveen continues to refuse to co-operate with what he believes is the HSE investigating itself, the investigation cannot with credibility produce a report. Let us not heap another bad decision on top of previous ones. Let us call a halt now and establish a fully independent public inquiry. As the Taoiseach stated, the Irish people, not least Irish women, want to know the full facts. I am sure as certain that if the family continues with its decision, then none of this will become clear. Will the Taoiseach consult and agree with Savita's family the terms of reference for an independent sworn inquiry as they have requested?

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