The Tánaiste says delays with the inquiry to examine the incineration of babies organs by Cork University Maternity Hospital are "impossible to defend."
Leo Varadkar was speaking in the Dáil yesterday where he confirmed that a report into the scandal would be given to families in "the coming weeks".
The Minister also confirmed that a bill to govern activities involving human organs and tissues will go before the cabinet for approval at the end of this month.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar expressed his sympathies to the families involved and conceeded that delays in publishing the report have had an impact on them:
"I understand the delay in the completion of this review has been very upsetting, but it's essential that correct processes are followed to ensure the facts of the case can be established and shared with the families affected in relation to the human tissue bill, dignity and respect for parents who have experienced the loss of a child is of paramount importance. The human tissue bill is on the priority list of legislation for Government."
Meanwhile, the families involved have voiced anger that they will not receive a draft of the report before it is published, after initially being told that they would.
Leona Bermingham's son Lee's organs were among those sent to Belgium for incineration at the start of the pandemic.
Leona told RedFM News that families are afraid they won't have access to supports if they get the report close to Christmas:
"Now we're because fairies that will arrive at our door on Christmas week to build up the Christmas and we're not going to get the opportunity to detain we wanted to sit down and read through it when a lot of us have other kids and I mean our support systems will be shut down over the Christmas and it's just very unfair to the timeline that they are given. I mean we went through last Christmas thinking will we get it? Will this Christmas video we will get it and here we are a year later. So unfair."
