Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister will agree the leaking of the draft report of the inquiry into the death of Savita Halappanavar before her husband Praveen had sight of it was an act of gross insensitivity to her family. It seems from what we read in the press that the report vindicates what Praveen has been saying all along. It seems to indicate that little attention was paid to the risk of infection and that there was a failure to intervene even when it was clear that miscarriage was inevitable. It is fair to say the Halappanavar family, and Praveen in particular, has been treated disgracefully and appallingly throughout this entire process.

Savita died on 28 October in Galway University hospital from suspected septicaemia. It was not until her husband went public on 14 November that there was any response from the institutions of State. He said on public record he had received no contact from the Health Service Executive, HSE, in those intervening weeks. Only when three doctors had to be removed from the inquiry team did the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, finally meet with Mr. Halappanavar. Who is in charge of this issue? Who is responsible within the system for liaising with Praveen and the family of Savita Halappanavar? Is the Minister responsible? Is the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform satisfied with the handling of the issue? Will Praveen now be given a copy of the draft report? If so, when?

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