Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make a brief comment on this matter as people are interested in it. We have put in place a counselling service for people with medical cards, to which GPs have direct access. That service is for people with mild to moderate depression rather than they having to go through the whole system in terms of mental health. That service is working very well. It is significant that a GP has commented on radio about how well the service is working.

I wish to confirm what the Minister has said in regard to symphysiotomy. I appreciate that sometimes circumstances and occasions can overwhelm people and they get the wrong message but at no stage, and we have no vested interest in saying this, was a sum of money ever discussed. It was pointed out clearly what would be necessary to have a successful outcome in the courts. I do not believe at the two meetings that were held on this that any women raised the issue that this would be her preferred option, even though if someone wants to go to the courts, as the Deputy will know, there is nothing anyone can do about that; clearly, that is the person's choice. Neither was there any mention of legal representation not being available. It was never raised as an issue and it most definitely was not indicated from either of the two of us.