Professor Robert F. Harrison:

I am chairman of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. The institute is the corporate representative of obstetricians and gynaecologists in Ireland. Based on our standing orders, its objects are to represent obstetric and gynaecological opinion in Ireland in a professional advisory and administrative capacity; to act as the advisory body in Ireland in matters relating to education, training, research and administration in the specialty of obstetrics and gynaecology; and to promote excellence in the areas of patient care, professional standards, education and research in obstetrics and gynaecology. There are approximately 120 professionals in obstetrics and gynaecology in Ireland. That number has remained static, despite a 40% increase in the number of births. There are 126 trainees. The institute has 223 members or fellows, of whom 24 are associates in training. The executive council, on whose behalf this presentation is being made, has members elected from the body from various areas throughout the country, including Northern Ireland. The duration of my position on the executive council is three years. We are the group that really represents our specialty.

Our brief, as stated in the letter, is to make a presentation solely on the implementation of the recent Government decision following the publication of the expert group report. I am no longer involved in clinical practice, although I am still on the specialist register and, therefore, feel it more appropriate that our position be given by someone who is on the register, namely, Professor Fionnuala McAuliffe who, among other things, is consultant obstetrician-gynaecologist and specialist in maternal and foetal medicine at the National Maternity Hospital. She is also head of the faculty of women's and child's health at UCD. Present to help her with questions is Dr. Meabh Ni Bhuinneain, consultant obstetrician-gynaecologist at Mayo General Hospital. I will try to keep quiet, unless my experience of 47 years is needed.