Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 124: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the problems that have led to the Dunne inquiry's repeated failure to meet deadlines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9442/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The terms of reference of the post mortem inquiry are very broad, requiring 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 in relation to 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 thus far significantly hampered its substantive work.

Given the scope of the work the chairman has only produced progress reports rather than a substantive report on any aspect of her work. However, in accordance with a Government decision of 1 September 2004 the chairman has confirmed that she will provide her final report on or before 31 March.