Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for attending the House. I would like to commend Dr. Lynch's comments on mental health. People always think of the physical side of giving birth, yet the mother's mental health is a huge part of it. This should form part of any strategy in the future. It was noted in the strategy that pre-conception care has beneficial outcomes for both the mother and baby, yet 66.5 % said they did not access any pre-conception care.

Are there plans to increase awareness of this, and how could this be done? During the meeting in January I raised the issue of fertility, which should form a huge part of this plan. Maternity care should start with people who are finding it hard to conceive. Emphasis is put on events starting with a pregnant woman's first visit to the gynaecologist, but many people experience much pain and hardship before that stage is reached. Do the witnesses think a fertility section should be included in this strategy?