A Waterford TD has been told that concerns raised by four pathologists over conditions at the UHW mortuary ‘have been heard’ by the HSE.

Sinn Fein’s David Cullinane questioned Senior HSE figures about plans to deliver a mortuary unit for the Hospital as well as an inquiry into claims about conditions at the facility.

In a letter to the hospital group, the pathologists suggested that bodies had been left to decompose on trolleys, resulting in closed-coffin funerals.

Estates Director Jim Curran told Deputy Cullinane that he expects construction of a new mortuary to begin by the end of the year.

Deputy Cullinane wanted assurances that claims raised by pathologists would be looked in to.

HSE Secretary General Jim Breslin said that the inquiry will look at governance and management.