David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

343. To ask the Minister for Health when he will publish the report into Cork University Maternity Hospital’s organ retention and disposal practices; when he will publish the human tissues Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61591/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Firstly, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the 18 families in Cork who have been directly impacted by this incident.  I know that the Health Service Executive (HSE), South/South West Hospital Group, Cork University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital have apologised to the bereaved families and very much regret the incident occurred. 

The HSE shared the final systems analysis review report with the affected families on Friday 25th November 2022 and published the report on the HSE website later the same day at www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/hospitals/systems-analysis-review-report.html.

The HSE advise that Cork University Hospital fully accepts the findings of the report, is committed to implementing the recommendations in full and has already commenced work in this regard. 

Separately, Government approval for publication of the Human Tissue Bill was secured on 29 November 2022, and the Bill is expected to be published shortly.

The Bill is a composite piece of legislation that includes provisions around organ donation and transplantation, post-mortem practice and procedures in hospital settings, anatomical examination, and public display of bodies after death. Crucially, it embeds in legislation the idea that consent is the defining principle across all these sensitive areas.

Following publication, the Bill will begin the legislative process through the Houses of the Oireachtas.