Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 235: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for the estimated €16 million spent on the Dunne inquiry in view of the fact that it missed five deadlines over four years without producing a report; the extent of hospital and health board co-operation with the inquiry; the plans of the hospitals which sold pituitary glands have put in place to contact the next of kin of the deceased persons whose glands were obtained without knowledge or consent; the profits made by companies (details supplied) from the sale of medications which these glands were used to produce; if she will establish a statutory inquiry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24233/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 to 208, inclusive, and 235 together.

The terms of reference of the post mortem inquiry require it to review post mortem policy, practice and procedure in all hospitals in the State since 1970, with particular reference to organ removal, retention, storage and disposal. The inquiry is also mandated to examine any arrangements with pharmaceutical companies concerning retained organs including pituitary glands.

The chairman has confirmed that the inquiry has received considerable co-operation from each of the hospitals with which it is dealing and that the inquiry's non-statutory nature has not significantly hampered its substantive work. The chairman has indicated that she will provide a report on paediatric hospitals in December 2004. On 8 September, at a meeting between the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, and the inquiry chairman, it was agreed to examine the methodology of the inquiry with the objective of the chairman producing as comprehensive a report as possible on outstanding issues by 31 March 2005.

Pending receipt of the chairman's report, I feel that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the actions of specific pharmaceutical companies. I am advised that individual hospitals have adopted differing policies to the question of contacting next of kin of deceased persons whose organs were retained. At the end of August 2004, the inquiry had incurred direct expenditure of €11,577,610. This includes fees to the inquiry's legal team and costs associated with the establishment and rental-administration of the inquiry office. My Department has also provided funding to the Eastern Regional Health Authority and Parents for Justice in respect of the inquiry, with related expenditure amounting to €6,780,424. This brings the total expenditure relating to the inquiry to the end of August, 2004 to €18.358 million.