Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Henry. I accept the situation we were in post Christmas but we are in a much different situation now. As I said, the heartbreaking testimonies we have seen over recent months cut to the core of life and death and expectant mothers' worry. We therefore need to get back to whatever operated pre pandemic for expectant mothers. They need to have that love and support of a partner for delivery and for scans. Positive scans are fine, but you just do not know when you go in there what news you will get. Again, reading the testimonies, where there is an anomaly, news may be delivered to women on their own, with no support. They may be told to wait in a room or have to deliver news to their families in a car park. It is unacceptable that that would be the way in which things operate in a hospital in this day and age. I appreciate that Covid is the reason the restrictions are there, but for something as personal and as heartbreaking as this there needs to be a better system. Cognisance needs to be taken of the delivery of the news and having partners there with the expectant mothers to provide that love and support and comfort.