Inquiry into Organ Retention
Mr. Gormley: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the winding up the Dunne inquiry, which cost the taxpayer more than €20 million, without completing its work; the need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to explain why the Department continued with this inquiry, despite the constant objections of the parents who pointed out that the inquiry could not be properly conducted under its terms of reference; and the need to accede to the reasonable request of the Parents for Justice group.
An Ceann Comhairle: Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.
(later on the Order of Business)
Mr. Gormley: Will the Minister for Finance agree that the Dunne inquiry is yet another debacle involving the Department of Health and Children? Deadline after deadline was missed and despite the continuous representations by the Parents for Justice Group, which stated that it could not complete its work under the terms of reference, the Department continued with its stance. Will the Minister explain to the House why €20 million of taxpayers’ money was spent on what has turned out to be an incomplete inquiry? Will he agree it has added to the suffering of the parents? What will the Government do now? Will it accede to the reasonable request of the parents and set up this statutory inquiry?
(later)
Mr. Cowen: We have heard from the Opposition about the importance of value for money for the taxpayer. Regarding the Dunne inquiry, the total cost of the inquiry was approximately €20 million up to the end of December 2004. On 1 September last the Government decided that the chair of the inquiry should furnish to the Minister for Health and Children, not later than 31 March, a final report following which the inquiry would cease to exist. The Tánaiste expects to get a comprehensive report on paediatric hospitals and certain other matters on or before 31 March. The content of the report will inform the Tánaiste’s decision on how to proceed beyond that date. I understand she met the Parents for Justice Group yesterday and indicated that she will revert to it as soon as the contents of the report are known. We will take our legal advices from the Attorney General in the normal way and the Minister will then revert to the group concerned as to how we proceed.
I emphasise that the purpose of Government is to establish the facts. The important point is how we establish the facts surrounding these matters. That does not involve any particular route or inquiry. It is a matter of establishing the facts. An inquiry in Northern Ireland with a similar remit and terms of reference to the current one concluded its work in 15 to 18 months.