Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the independent audit of currently retained organs in all hospitals here which is being carried out following the Madden Report into post mortem practice; if a draft report or final report has been received either by her or the Health Service Executive; if this report will be published and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26192/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Dr Deirdre Madden's report on Post Mortem Practice and Procedures recommended that "an independent audit must be carried out of currently retained organs in all hospitals in the State". To implement this recommendation, the Health Service Executive (HSE) commissioned Ms Michaela Willis, former Member of the UK Human Tissue Authority and founder member and Chair of the UK National Committee relating to Organ Retention, to undertake an independent audit.

The HSE has advised that field work for Ms Willis's independent audit, which included site-visits to all hospitals that carry out post-mortem examinations in the State, has been completed. This data is being compiled and a report based on the audit is currently being prepared by the author. When this report of the independent audit is completed by the author, the HSE will arrange the publication of the full and final report. I understand that this process will be completed over the coming months.