Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I join the Chairman in welcoming our three guests. In relation to Dr. Peter Boylan's contribution, it should not strike one as strange that I would not have known that intensive care units did not exist in any of the three maternity hospitals in Dublin but it has come as a shock or certainly a surprise. It poses the question of whether these entities, as they are currently resourced and configured, have the capacity to provide for all situations that could present. It is not just about legislation; it is like all legislation here, it must be resourced. I take the opportunity to welcome Dr. Boylan's exposure of that deficiency, which I expect may have presented difficulties in the past, not only in the context of for what we are currently legislating.

A number of the contributions made this morning would complement and echo Dr. Boylan's points regarding a wider number of approved locations, other than the 19 designed, extending it to the general hospitals and he also made a case for the approved private hospital scenarios.

Dr. Boylan and Dr. Mahony referred to limitations regarding only obstetricians and gynaecologists who are in the specialist division. There is a number, whatever number that would be but it is an significant and important number, who would not be on the specialist register but on the general register of the Irish Medical Council. We welcome all these points and that light has been thrown on these because these are elements that can and hopefully will be addressed during the Bill's passage through Committee, Report and Final Stages.

I do not want to go over the area covered by my colleague, Deputy Kelleher. I note in Dr. Mahony's contribution her commendation of the Government for bringing forward the Bill. I presume the subtext of that is that she accepts that the five obligations of the State, as set out in the expert group report, are addressed here. She might elaborate on whether they are addressed to her satisfaction. I recall very well her stated concerns back in January regarding the Offences Against Person Act and sections 58 and 59 and we all join in welcoming the fact that this is now being addressed. I asked Dr. Holohan this morning if in is view, as chief medical officer, this complies with the obligations of the State, as set out in the expert group report. From her practitioner perspective, I would like Dr. Mahony's confirmation that is also her view.