Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms McDermott. I had to step out to speak in the Dáil but I was here when she making her opening statement. Like others, I know it is difficult to come here and talk about a very personal story. From the word go, in order that Ms McDermott knows where I am coming from, I believe in the right to choose, including the right to choose to continue with a pregnancy and be supported with that pregnancy. I have to say that the language and sensitivity Ms McDermott talked about and her experience and the experience of others within the maternity services should be of concern to us all. It is interesting that when we had people in from the group Terminations for Medical Reasons, they made the point that one cannot change a diagnosis but one can change how people are treated. They would make different arguments from Ms McDermott but we need to say something with regard to how the experience in maternity hospitals has to change in order that people feel supported in the decisions they make. It would be very useful for us to hear what those changes would be. Our report will be intended to respond to a range of different things. I see this as an issue that should be very much something that is provided within our health system. What does Ms McDermott have to say about changes she would specifically seek in maternal services? I take the point about perinatal care. Most of that is funded by charity rather than the health service.