Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will publish the Dunne Report into organ retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3471/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Ms Anne Dunne S.C. was appointed to carry out a Post-Mortem Inquiry to investigate post-mortem practice and procedure in all hospitals in the State since 1970.The Dunne Inquiry commenced its work in March 2001 and it submitted a report to my predecessor in March 2005.The strong legal advice obtained from the Attorney General was that the report could not be published for legal and constitutional reasons.

In May 2005, Dr Deirdre Madden was appointed to examine the key points raised and findings in it in order to provide Government with a final report on post-mortem policy and practice.Dr Madden's report inquired into the policies and practices relating to the removal, retention and disposal of organs from children who have undergone post-mortem examination in the State since 1970.Dr Madden's report was published in 2006.A subsequent report of a Working Group, also chaired by Dr Madden, on other areas of post-mortem practice and procedures was also published in November 2006.An independent audit of all retained organs in the State, which was commissioned by the HSE, was carried out by Ms Michaela Willis and this report was published in 2009. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has published "Standards and Recommended Practices for Post Mortem Examination Services" and circulated these to relevant hospital staff in March 2012.The overall aim of the standards and recommended practices for post-mortem examinations is to drive high quality post-mortem examination services, which are based on current legal requirements and in keeping with best professional practice.