There has been mixed reaction to the verdict in the inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar with groups campaigning on the abortion issue quick to issue statements this evening.
Consultant obstetrician Dr Katherine Astbury who treated Savita will be questioned over whether she referred to Ireland’s Catholic ethos when she refused to terminate her pregnancy.
Earlier this week, Mrs Halappanavar’s father issued an ultimatum to the Health Minister to announce by today that he was to hold a public inquiry into her death.
The investigation will assess “safety, quality and standards of services” provided at the Galway where hospital where Savita died last month following a miscarriage.
The board of the health watchdog meets today to consider a request to hold a statutory investigation into the woman’s death at a Galway hospital last month.
The husband of Savita Halappanavar told Prime Time tonight that he has no confidence in the HSE and wants a public, government-funded investigation into her death.
The Minister for Health made the comment despite admitting that the inquiry would not “have the completeness of information without Mr Halappanavar’s input”.
Department of Education and Skills says the week-long mission to India headed up by Junior Minister Ciarán Cannon was planned months in advance of the death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar in Galway.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny urged the husband of Savita Halappanavar to meet with the expert heading the inquiry into her death last month but Praveen Halappanavar has reiterated that he will not.
The solicitor for Praveen Halappanavar has reiterated that his client will not cooperate with the inquiry into his wife’s controversial death and said there must be a public inquiry.
The Minister for Health has dismissed suggestions of a public inquiry into the 31-year-old woman’s death, saying it would take “an awful lot longer” to conduct such an investigation.
“The majority of people in this country consume alcohol in a moderate, responsible manner that is entirely compatible with a healthy lifestyle and in line with European norms,” said Kathryn D’Arcy, director of Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland.
Some people can no longer afford to drink alcohol, others could be looking after their health, while many have suggested that the reduction in consumption could be related to emigration rates.
So today we want to know what do you think. Have you reduced your alcohol consumption in the past year?
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