I wish to convey my deepest sympathies to the parents of the unborn child whose life was ended in the National Maternity Hospital as a result of a reported misdiagnosis and the alleged failure of the hospital to wait for the results of a diagnostic test. It was reported that the medics recommended an abortion unprompted by the child’s parents and that the couple were told that there was no need to wait for a final test. It was further reported that there was no specific genetic involvement at the time of the abortion decision and that the couple were not told clearly that the child was healthy after the third set of results came in, but, rather, worked this out themselves from information they received in an envelope. It has emerged that there are no national guidelines for doctors in this area. Before the abortion legislation was passed, Every Life Matters requested a meeting with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, to warn them that this could happen, but that request was refused at the time. I and other Members raised this issue during the debate on the legislation and warned the Government that such events could occur, but the Government refused to take that into consideration. Will it now create the necessary guidelines to ensure that this does not happen again?

My heart goes out to the couple affected by these events. It is important to restate on the floor of the House that this is an individual matter. These matters are deeply personal and should be confidential. Although the Deputy may have access to individual medical or other information regarding a particular patient, I certainly do not have access to such information and will not discuss------

The information was reported in The Irish Times.

Whether it was reported in The Irish Times is beside the point. These are personal, private and confidential matters and it is not appropriate for us to discuss them in this Chamber. I am advised by the Minister for Health that steps are being taken to carry out an independent review of the case. Clinical guidelines are normally drawn up by doctors and their professional bodies. I will ask the Minister for Health to follow up on the matter with the Deputy.