Harney still awaits report into organ retention scandal

MINISTER for Health Mary Harney has yet to be told when the first report by the State’s five-year inquiry into the organ retention scandal will be on her desk.

The Dunne Inquiry, that has cost over €18 million, has missed five deadlines for the submission of the report on the post-mortem practices of the country's children's hospitals. The inquiry, chaired by Anne Dunne SC, had been due to produce the report on post-mortem practices in paediatric hospitals by Christmas. A further report on post-mortem practices in maternity and general hospitals is expected by Ms Harney before the inquiry ends in March.

The inquiry has been reviewing post-mortem practices in all hospitals in the State since 1970.