Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I heard the interview this morning and I thought Ms Audrey Carville conducted a lovely interview. Emma Nic Mhathúna was more concerned for her children than she was for herself. Emma is in the same situation as Vicky Phelan who has also spoken out. We have to get to the truth and there has to be accountability. Once again it is an issue around women and a young mother. If something happens in life through no fault of one's own, and which is out of one's control, that is utterly frustrating but when it involves the loss of life, it is unforgivable. Emma referred to meeting her medical people and I wish her well. I have no words and as someone with a wife and a young family, the interview brought it home to me. Ultimately, it is about human beings and there has to be accountability here. I wish her well. Words fail me on this occasion.

We have to get to the truth of this matter and there has to be accountability. People need to look into their hearts and do the decent thing. Emma spoke about feeling safe but she has been failed at a human level. That is why it is so important that we get to the truth. On a human level, words fail me in terms of the impact this has had on Emma and her family.

All of our work, such as when we consider legislation, can seem very dry on paper. When one wants to make a judgment call on big issues then it is good to reflect on Emma, Vicky and the other women because that is the real tragedy. They are really the fallout of either poor legislation or poor administration, and the situation in which they find themselves should have never arisen. I hope that the Government takes note of the interview this morning.