Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

To return to the evidence of Dr. McCaffrey and the comment she has just made on medical emergencies, we questioned the Medical Council on this matter this morning and it is of the view there is no need for special procedures to be developed for emergency situations. However, this does not mean there is no need for a second signatory. The impression we clearly got from the Medical Council, and it was difficult to get a straight answer from the witnesses, was that there should be no differentiation between an emergency and non-emergency situation and the same procedure should apply to both. If a second signatory were required, how would it apply in an emergency situation in a small maternity unit?