Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government has obligations and duties as well. The HSE can look after itself in terms of its own inquiry. Quite clearly, however, the family of Savita are not going to co-operate with a HSE investigation so we are going to have open conflict. Huge difficulties will be placed on this family in trying to get to the truth of what happened to Savita in Galway.

We do not want to raise this matter in a political or adversarial way, but we certainly do not want the State to act in an adversarial way with the bereaved family, although that is clearly what will happen. I am asking the Taoiseach to make a personal intervention behind the scenes and meet with Praveen Halappanavar, the family and legal representatives, to find some way of addressing the concerns in a meaningful way that will establish the truth and will also satisfy the family about its independence. A commission of inquiry could be that way. The HSE will carry out its own investigation anyway with regard to its internal workings but we want to try to establish a commission that will satisfy everybody. Clearly, the Minister's response will not satisfy Praveen Halappanavar's family or the broader Irish public. I am urging the Minister one last time to have behind the scenes discussions with Praveen and the family to try to find a mechanism to deal with this. Our suggestion is for a commission of inquiry, which will not prejudice the outcome of anything. The Taoiseach is quite entitled to, and should, meet Praveen and the family to discuss their concerns. In fact, it should have happened already.

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