Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not think anybody disagrees with the eminence, reputation and integrity of the chairman of the investigation team.

It is in everybody's interest, taking into account the sensitivity of what is involved here and the necessity to find out the truth, that he should be enabled to have a meeting with Mr. Halappanavar without prejudice to the man's feelings or his attitude towards the investigation. That is only right and proper.

The feelings of Mr. Halappanavar were taken into account here because he stated that nobody from the hospital should be associated with this investigation and nobody from the hospital will be associated with it. Anybody from the hospital who is spoken to in the context of this investigation will be spoken to as a witness to determine the circumstances, the facts and the truth of what happened, and this is in everybody's interest. As I stated in response to Deputy Martin, 3,000 babies were born in the hospital this year and this is a tragic incident that we need to find out about in everybody's interest.

All of the documentation, all of the case notes and all of the contracts belong in this public hospital under the structure of the Health Service Executive. This is an investigation being conducted by an international chairman of repute, added to by persons of competence and experience with no association with this hospital. That is all about finding out the circumstances in which Ms Halappanavar died. I would suggest, if Deputy Adams can give any assistance in this matter, that it is in everybody's interest that Mr. Halappanavar should be able to sit down with the chairman of the investigation and talk about it without prejudice to his feelings or his attitude towards the investigation. It is most necessary in everybody's interest that we find out what happened here and I hope people can come around to that view.

As I stated, Deputy Adams called for a full public inquiry. I saw the letter from the legal team looking for an independent tribunal with full legal procedures being adopted and representation by Mr. Halappanavar's legal team so that all evidence can be gathered, examined and tested and a proper hearing be conducted in accordance with his natural and constitutional rights. I heard the legal adviser today state that this could be concluded within seven days. It is necessary to find out what happened in this public hospital. I would expect, if we allow this investigation to do its job, it would be helpful if the legal firm would say to Mr. Halappanavar to sit down with this eminent chairman, discuss this matter with him and, in the interests of his family's tragedy, we will find out what happened here. There is no point in going down a long road, with all of the legal complications that come from that, with no answer. We need an answer expeditiously in everybody's interest.

See this speech in context