Minister for Health appoints Facilitator for Scoping Exercise into Spina Bifida and Complex Scoliosis Services

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, has announced the appointment of Mr. Remy Farrell Senior Counsel (SC) as the independent facilitator for the Scoping Exercise that will inform the terms of reference and potential structure of the statutory public inquiry into spina bifida and complex scoliosis services.

The appointment follows the agreement by Government in November 2025 to a time-bound scoping exercise. Work will commence today and run for up to 16 weeks.

Mr. Farrell will fulfil his role as facilitator through direct engagement with families, advocacy groups, clinicians, and other stakeholders, recognising the seriousness of the concerns raised and the need for a thorough, transparent examination of services. Mr. Farrell, an SC with extensive experience in sensitive and complex matters, will lead a structured programme of engagement designed to ensure that the voices of families are central to the process.

Mr. Farrell will receive all necessary support to ensure that a patient‑centred, trauma‑informed, human‑rights‑based approach underpins the scoping exercise and any subsequent statutory processes.

The final report and recommendations will be submitted to Government.

Notes

Remy Farrell SC is a leading Irish barrister specialising in criminal, regulatory, and administrative law, called to the Bar in 1997 and the Inner Bar in 2011.