Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I echo the remarks made by Deputy O'Connell. Anyone who pays attention to the committee proceedings knows which members only attend meetings of the committee at which women's healthcare is discussed.

The issue of the provision of services for women from the North was raised. As the witnesses are aware, the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, announced that such services will be available. My question is a fairly simple one and relates to two areas. The meetings which it is thought have been taking place were discussed. It would be of concern if they have not been taking place. At such meetings, have the witnesses discussed the provision of services to make good on that commitment given by the Minister for Health and also, possibly, the Taoiseach? Has the provision of services for women from the North been discussed? Brexit was mentioned. Any discussion of the issue will have to be Brexit-proofed, although what form Brexit will take remains to be seen.

I have a concern regarding the collection of data. Dr. Boylan and Dr. Murphy made reference to discussions that took place with their counterparts in Scotland. I presume that when the witnesses went to Scotland their counterparts had access to information and could give the witnesses the profile of women accessing services there, which they can track over time. Very little data will be collected under the current proposals. What is the view of the witnesses on how we should go about the collection of data and whether we should try to gather more information? Such data might inform considerations of the care and services that will be needed in the future and whether there may be a need for improved access to contraception or other services in certain areas. The current proposals do not seem to prioritise the collection of such data. I believe it important that they be collected. I ask the witnesses for their views in that regard.