Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very sensitive matter and for his ongoing interest in it on behalf of the 18 families affected. The matter has been discussed in the House previously. Once again, I express my deep sympathy to the families in Cork who have experienced the tragedy of losing a child and who then had the devastating experience of learning that their children's organs were disposed of without their consent. That was wrong. It is hard to fathom the hurt this incident must have caused to the families affected. It is an extremely distressing situation that should not have occurred and that has only added to their distress and grief.

While it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases, I recognise the families affected for sharing their deeply personal stories in order that other families do not have to go through what they experienced. The Department of Health is advised that the HSE, the South/Southwest Hospital Group, Cork University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital have apologised to the families concerned and very much regret the incident. The Minister for Health, his Department and the HSE are committed to ensuring that there is learning across the health service to prevent a recurrence. The HSE advises that the systems analysis review being undertaken by the hospital group has concluded and that the final report is being prepared. We will respond to any recommendations. The HSE advises that the report is being finalised and will be shared with the families in the coming weeks. I am not sure if we have powers of compellability in that regard, but we are assured by the HSE that the report will be shared with the families within the next few weeks. I understand that the delay in the completion of this review has been very upsetting, but it is essential that correct processes are followed in order to ensure the facts of the case can be established and shared with the families affected.

Dignity and respect for parents who have experienced the loss of a child are of paramount importance. In that context, the human tissue Bill is on the priority list of legislation for the Government. Among other matters, the Bill will introduce a regulatory regime for the conduct of post mortems in hospital settings. Given recent events, the general scheme of the Bill has had to be amended to encompass certain aspects of coronial post mortem activities. The draft Bill is being finalised and it is intended that it will be brought to Government for approval at the end of this month.

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