Ireland says abortion policy depends on Savita report

As outrage on Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar's death in Ireland continues, the country's education minister Ciaran Cannon said his government will take a decision on its abortion policy after they get reports on her case.

"First of all, I extend my sympathy to the Halappanavar family. Ireland is one of the best places in the world to have a baby, we are proud of our health care system. To bring clarity to the incident, we have set up a commission to look into the case," Cannon, who is here on an official visit, told IANS.

Savita, an Indian dentist working in Ireland, died of septicemia after being denied an abortion. Ireland's Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is now looking in the case which sparked a row over the anti-abortion laws in the country and abroad.

Asked if the government will consider changing its anti-abortion law, Cannon said the final decision will depend on the reports.

"Ireland's Health Information and Quality Authority, which is an independent authority, is looking in the case. It will give its report which will be published soon. Based on the advice of this report, the government will decide what to do," he said.

Halappanavar, 31, died in Galway Oct 28 due to blood poisoning after doctors allegedly refused to terminate her pregnancy on ethical grounds. Ireland's Health Minister James Reilly recently met Savita's husband Praveen.