Vol. 515 No. 6
190 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the arrangements, if any, being put in place to ensure that hospitals have the proper facilities for disposal of organs where parents are leaving the responsibility for disposal of organs to the hospitals; the procedures hospitals are required to follow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6943/00]
Historically, different practices, which included disposal by interment in an appropriate manner and by incineration, obtained in individual hospitals with regard to the disposal of organs in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy.
In the light of the disclosures relating to the retention of organs following post mortem examination, last December my Department requested all health agencies to ensure that mechanisms be put in place to dispose of, as sensitively as possible and with the co-operation of the families involved, organs and tissue which had been retained by hospitals following post mortem examinations.
This matter is now being pursued by health agencies and any practical issues which present will be addressed by them in consultation with my Department.
