An inquiry into the death of a man who bled to death at Monaghan General Hospital last October is not now expected to be completed until the end of March.
The investigation into the death of Pat Joe Walsh was meant to take only eight weeks when it was ordered by Minister for Health Mary Harney.
She ordered it after it emerged that three hospitals which it was claimed would not accept his transfer from Monaghan hospital because they did not have intensive care beds available actually had free beds.
These were Cavan General Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
The semi-retired farmer required emergency surgery on a bleeding ulcer but could not be operated on in Monaghan hospital as surgeons there are not permitted to do emergency surgery.
Such patients must be transferred to Cavan hospital or elsewhere.
Ms Harney, announcing the inquiry into Mr Walsh's death in the Dáil, said Mr Walsh (75), from Killanny, Carrickmacross, had died tragically.
"This should not have happened . . . The circumstances surrounding this tragedy require thorough investigation," she said.
The investigation, she confirmed, would be independent and would be carried out by Declan Carey, a consultant surgeon at Belfast City Hospital.
"This review will be completed and a report issued within an eight-week timeframe.
"I look forward to this review answering all the questions around this tragic case as a matter of urgent public interest and patient safety," the Minister said.