The Minister for Health is expected to hold a meeting with representatives of parents whose consent was not sought for the removal and retention of their children's organs for post-mortem purposes today.
Last night, the Department of Health refused to comment on what Mr Cowen might say to the parents at the midday meeting. Speaking earlier in the week, the group said it was hopeful he would agree to an inquiry into the matter.
In a statement yesterday, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell, promised the church would provide a sensitive rite for the interment of organs taken from children for post-mortems and called for informed parental consent to be sought for such procedures in future. Dr Connell said he wished to "express my concern and sympathy for those families who are experiencing trauma on discovering organs from their deceased children were removed for the purpose of post-mortem examinations".
He noted that some parents were upset because they had not been informed of the procedures and in some cases these organs continued to be retained. Others were aggrieved that they had not the opportunity to inter organs along with the bodies of their children. In all cases, he said, they would have the full support of the church, which would "endeavour to provide a sensitive and appropriate rite" for those parents whose children had organs removed and retained.
Dr Connell offered to meet a representative group of parents if they felt this would be beneficial.
The Archbishop said he understood that the issue might require a change in practice on the part of most, if not all, hospitals and said he welcomed a letter to hospitals from the Chief Medical Officer asking that there be a policy of informed consent by next of kin to the carrying out of post-mortems and the retention of organs.
"This public debate may re-intensify the pain of bereaved families, particularly as we approach Christmas. The whole church should remember those who are without their loved ones at this time," he said.
The Eastern Health Board said it had established a confidential freephone helpline for parents and families "affected by post-mortem examination practices and procedures at Our Lady's Hospital For Sick Children in Crumlin". The helpline will be operated by professional staff providing information advice and counselling. The freephone number is 1800 670 700 and the service will operate 2 p.m.-5 p.m. from today until December 24th, from December 29th and 30th, and from January 4th onwards.