A number of parents involved in the organ retention controversy are due to give evidence before the Dunne Inquiry next month, irishhealth.com has learned.

However, it is understood that many parents affected by the issue are unhappy over what they claim is a lack of information and feedback from the inquiry and a strict requirement of confidentiality.

The inquiry, chaired by Anne Dunne (senior counsel), is being held in private and is not a statutory inquiry. It began its work earlier this year.

Some members of the support group, 'Parents for Justice' have been called to give evidence at the inquiry in October. A draft submission has already been made to the inquiry by lawyers for Parents for Justice.

However, it is understood that the inquiry has asked that the details of all submissions made be kept confidential and that those involved in the inquiry do not disclose details of the proceedings.

The report of the inquiry will go before a Dail committee for public debate.

The controversy first emerged in early 1999 when a Dublin woman discovered that her child's organs were removed and retained after a post mortem at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, allegedly without her consent.

The support group Parents for Justice now has over 2,500 members. Pressure from the group for a statutory inquiry in public was resisted by the Department of Health.