Irish Prez intervenes in row over Savita death inquiry

Irish President Michael D Higgins has intervened in the row over the inquiry into the death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar due to pregnancy-related complications after being denied abortion, saying the probe must meet the needs of her family as also the state.

Higgins' unprecedented move will increase the pressure on the government to recast the investigation in response to Savita's husband Praveen's demand for a full public probe.

Higgins said the investigation into Savita's death must ensure 'above all else' that women will be safer and get the medical services during pregnancy to which they are entitled.

He was responding to questions from local journalists during an official visit to Liverpool and Manchester. The inquiry to come into the tragic death of the young Indian woman must meet "the needs of the public's concern. The need of the family and meet the need of the state," he said.

The health and safety executive on Wednesday published the terms of reference of its inquiry and named three new members, two Irish and one from England, of the inquiry team. These replaced the Galway-based consultants who stepped aside in an unsuccessful attempt to meet the objections of Praveen.

The report to be compiled by the team will not identify staff members involved in the treatment of Savita or any other names, according to the terms of reference.

According to the Irish Times, government sources continued to insist that the HSE-commissioned inquiry announced this week, which is to be held in private, would go ahead as planned.

This is in spite of Praveen's refusal to cooperate and a threat of legal challenge by his lawyers if his wife's medical records are made available to the inquiry team.