Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The licensing of abortion pills was mentioned. I am concerned about the cost of a drug license in Ireland, and the relatively small number of users, if we are using the figure of 5,000 terminations a year. I wonder if someone will actually seek a licence to manufacture it. It is something that may not be in the witness's remit. Drug companies are only interested if there are lots of people. I am also concerned about the protection of doctors, if no one gets a licence for it and it is used in an unlicensed way. I am trying to deal with the pitfalls. Would a witness like to comment?

People have spoken about the 20-week anomaly scanning. I refer to the maternal blood test that can be done at eight to nine weeks. I am not sure of the name. I know there is a brand called "Panorama", but I am not sure if that is the actual technical term. Is that being examined within the maternity strategy and the increase in services? We have heard that is available in other countries. I cannot remember the figures from last week, but in Holland even if a woman cannot afford it, somebody sorts it out. Is early diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities, etc., being examined as part of the wider scanning and diagnosis?

We have also heard in the health committee about the upskilling of nurses so that they can do specialist ultrasound work. Perhaps a witness could update us on how we are getting on with that. We spoke about it last year. For me, and I am sure for many women in this country, it is refreshing to see that the woman is at the centre of the maternity strategy, and I wish the witnesses the best of luck in rolling it out.