The Tanaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney has appointed Dr Deirdre Madden to complete the investigation into the retention of human organs by hospitals.
Ms Harney met the Parents for Justice (PFJ) group at Government Buildings today to brief them on the latest developments.
A PFJ spokeswoman said the group had been taken by surprise by the announcement and was treating it with "cautious optimism." She said the appointment of Dr Madden was a "meaningful acknowledgement of the families' pain."
The Tanaiste discussed the report received from senior counsel Ms Anne Dunne on March 31st and legal advice from the Attorney General yesterday at the Cabinet meeting.
The legal advice was that the report could not be published in its present state which led to today's announcement. Dr Madden will now examine the Dunne Reports key findings in order to provide Government with a final report on post mortem policy and practice by the end of the year.
Dr Madden, a medical and legal expert, was appointed to the Medical Council in August 2004 to represent the public interest.
She is due to present her report on December 21 stthis year.
Speaking this afternoon, Ms Harney said: "I am disappointed that the Dunne Report cannot be published in its current form, five years after the Government set up the inquiry. Until this report is produced there cannot be closure on the matter for many families and next of kin affected by post mortem practice and organ retention."
"The overall objective of the post mortem inquiry is to establish the facts, to report on them and provide recommendations for the future."
The investigative process will have public and private hearings and Dr Madden will engage with PFJ and all relevant parties.