Cork South Central Fine Gael TD and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer, has welcomed the changed composition of investigation team into the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar.
“I welcome today’s announcement that the composition of the investigation team has been changed and that the three doctors from Galway University Hospital will now not be part of the team. There is a there is a need for clear answers and explanations of the circumstances and facts surrounding the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar. It is in the interests of transparency and public trust that the inquiry team should comprise doctors with no connection to Galway University Hospital and that the investigation team is independent of the hospital.
“That the investigation is being headed up by an eminent expert, Professor Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, shows a determination that this will be a thorough process, led by an independent expert. I hope that this commitment instils confidence in the Halappanavar family that this is a bona fide investigation aimed at determining the truth of this process.
“It is in the public interest to get to the bottom of what happened. We need to find out exactly what lessons need to be learned, these must then be taken on board and applied. The final composition of the full investigation team needs to be confirmed as soon as possible, it is vital that its work commences forthwith.”