Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I want to start by saying that I realise this is a very difficult and distressing, and heartbreaking, time for everybody involved and I commend the courage and bravery of all the families that have spoken out in relation to this matter.

The revelations in the "RTÉ Investigates" programme about Cork University Maternity Hospital, CUMH, sending babies' organs to Belgium along with clinical waste for disposal has shocked everybody to the core. One of the most heartbreaking testimonies was when you heard people describe that it felt as if the remains were discarded as a piece of rubbish. That is devastating and heartbreaking for families who have already gone through such an incredible loss.

I welcome that there will be an investigation. However, we want to know more about this investigation. It is important that we get some answers today. Obviously, it is a very sensitive subject - everybody acknowledges that - and it has to be dealt with as such.

The investigation must be thorough and transparent. It must get to the bottom of this and establish how widespread the practice may be. The Minister made reference in his speech to the once-off nature of what has been described, but that has been disputed by a number of the families. The RTÉ programme further highlighted that it was not a once-off and that many organs had been released by the pathology department following post mortem examinations and they lay in storage in the hospital morgue, in some cases for several months. I am sure the Minister would agree it is important that we get answers to such questions.

I ask what specific form the investigation will take. How will it be conducted? What is the timeframe for a report? Will the Minister be receiving a copy of this report directly? What hospitals are part of the investigation? Is the investigation being spread out to all hospitals? That is really important because we have a history in this country of investigating one incident when clearly there could be examples of others. It is important to be as thorough as possible in this situation.

As I am sharing time with my colleagues, I will finish by saying that unfortunately, I am always struck by the lack of accountability and responsibility that seems to be shown in this country and in our history, particularly whenever we are speaking about topics that affect women and children. We need to start seeing accountability and responsibility. That is one of the best ways the State can show that it is truly sorry, it does not wish this to happen again, it wants to get answers for people and it wants justice going forward. There has to be such responsibility and accountability. This practice must end and we cannot have any more situations where families are placed in this horrific position.

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