Kathleen Funchion demands answers on Cork maternity organ removals
Kathleen Funchion spoke about revelations that Cork University Maternity Hospital sent organs from babies to Belgium with clinical waste, as reported by the RT Investigate Programme. She described the practice as devastating for families and called for a thorough, transparent investigation, clear answers and accountability.
Allegations from RT Investigate Programme
The RT Investigate Programme revealed that organs from babies were sent to Belgium with clinical waste from Cork University Maternity Hospital. Kathleen Funchion commended the courage of the families who spoke out and said their testimony that remains were treated like "a piece of rubbish" was heartbreaking.
Questions on investigation scope and process
She asked the minister for specific details about the inquiry - what form the investigation will take, how it will be conducted, the timeframe for a report, whether the minister will receive a copy and which hospitals will be included. She said the public must know if the probe will be limited to a single incident or extended to other hospitals.
Pathology procedures and storage concerns
Funchion noted families disputed claims that the removals were a once-off. She highlighted reporting that organs had been released by the pathology department after post-mortems and that in some cases material lay in storage in the hospital morgue for several months.
Calls for accountability and systemic change
She urged that the investigation be thorough and transparent, and stressed the need for responsibility and accountability from the State. Funchion said the practice must end and that the State should seek to provide answers and justice for affected families so this does not happen again.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Thanks very much. I want to start by saying that I realise this is a very difficult and distressing and heartbreaking time for everybody involved and I just want to commend the courage and bravery of anybody, all the families that have spoken out in relation to this and the revelations in the RT Investigate Programme about Cork University Maternity Hospital sending organs from babies to Belgium along with the clinical waste for disposal has shocked everybody to the core. I think one of the most heartbreaking testimonies is when you heard people describing that it felt to them as if it was just discarded as a piece of rubbish and that is absolutely devastating and heartbreaking for families who have already gone through such an incredible loss. I do want to say that obviously I know there is going to be an investigation minister and this is welcome However, we do obviously want to know more about this investigation and I think it is important maybe that we get some of those answers today. Obviously it is a very sensitive subject and I think everybody acknowledges that and it has to be dealt with as such. The investigation must be thorough and it must be transparent and it must get to the bottom of this and establish how widespread the practice may be. And I know that you made reference in your speech to the once-off nature that has been described and that has been disputed by a number of the families because the RT Programme further highlighted that it actually wasn't a once-off and that many organs have been released by the patology department following post-mortem examinations and they lay in storage in the hospital morgue in some cases for several months. So I think it is important that we do get answers to those types of questions and I am sure you would agree with that minister. But can we just ask specifically what form the investigation will take, how will it be conducted, what is the timeframe for a report and will you be receiving a copy of this report directly and what hospitals are part of the investigation? So is it being spread out to all hospitals? I think that is really important because we do have a history in this country of maybe investigating one incident when clearly there could be examples of others and I think it is important to be as thorough as possible in this situation. My colleagues are obviously taking time on this too so I want to finish by saying that I am always struck unfortunately by the lack of accountability and lack of responsibility that we seem to have in this country and in our history and particularly whenever we are speaking about topics that affect particularly women and children. I think we really do need to start seeing accountability and responsibility and I think that is one of the best ways that the State can show that they are truly sorry and they do not wish this to happen again and they do want to get answers for people and they want justice going forward. There has to be that responsibility and accountability. The practice must end and we cannot have any more situations where families are placed in this horrific position. Thank you so much.
Thank you for downloading 🙏
If you publish this material on social media, we would be very grateful if you tagged VideoParliament. It helps us reach more people and keep building a transparent archive of Irish politics.
