Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We need to be sensitive to the parents of babies who have died at the hospital and their absolute need for the full truth to emerge unhindered.

I put it to the Taoiseach that this could be a defining moment for HIQA, its independence and its capacity to investigate without being emasculated, undermined or, to put it more bluntly, told to "shut up" or to pull its punches behind the scenes. I have read the correspondence that has either been leaked or distributed by the HSE, which seems to believe that the investigation should be a joint process between HIQA and it. Today, the Minister spoke about a bilateral process having been agreed by both organisations - the entity that is investigating and the entity that is the subject matter of the investigation. There is a certain irreconcilability about such a process. I want the Taoiseach to confirm something to me.

I do not think it is a case of the Government being detached from the issue. The Minister has not affirmed the independence of HIQA in the conduct of this very important investigation. Its independence is at stake. Does the Taoiseach accept and affirm the independence of the Health Information and Equality Authority in this investigation? Will he indicate when he now expects the report to be published?

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