Published Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Edwin Poots made the comments as he announced the launch of a major independent investigation into the outbreak which has claimed the lives of four babies across Northern Ireland.
"We have to identify if there were flaws," Mr Poots said on Tuesday morning, under questioning from Stormont colleagues.
There are questions as to why the taps were not replaced at an earlier date.
Edwin Poots
Three of the babies died in the neonatal unit at the Royal Jubilee and one at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry - in both hospitals, the source of the infection was traced back to the taps.
The Pseudomonas bug has also been found in taps at the Ulster Hospital's maternity unit, although no babies there tested positive for the infection.
The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the outbreak is likely to be made up of four experts and chaired by Professor Pat Troop, a former Chief Executive of the Health Protection Agency.
The experiences of the families of those babies who died and those who have been affected by the outbreak will also be looked at closely.
It's about getting quick answers and solutions - nothing will be held back. I'm not interested in hiding the truth from the public.
Edwin Poots
Mr Poots said he will "leave no stone unturned" as he attempts to reduce the risk of future Pseudomonas infection cases in neonatal units.
"Be in no doubt, I am absolutely determined to inquire into all of the circumstances of this tragedy - I resolve to investigate and understand what happened," he said.
"I will not be deflected in achieving this, because it is only in doing so that we can prevent this happening again."
In a statement, a Belfast Trust spokeswoman said: "The Minister has announced an expert panel will be looking at everyone's action in detail.
"Our Trust will be giving detailed evidence to this team and therefore will not be making any further public statement on this."
There have been no new cases of the Pseudomonas infection in any neonatal units since the last update. The total remains at seven, while the number of babies colonised also remains at seven.