Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes. And I am sorry, as I had sent my apologies.

I thank the witnesses for attending. It is important to have them here to highlight issues and offer practical advice and recommendations. I have a question for Ms Alagha. I was struck by the "A Mother is Born Too" research and Ms Alagha's comment about some "individual acts of kindness". That statement says a great deal about our system, namely, that kindness, decency and respect are not the default. I found much in what she said shocking and upsetting, but I found that especially upsetting as a mother who has gone through our maternity services. We have a national maternity strategy. I looked it up just now - "diverse" is only mentioned once or twice, as is "inclusion". In reviewing the strategy, how best can we work to amend it in order to ensure that, when women present to our maternity services, they feel welcome and comfortable and are looked after during one of the scariest and most special times of their lives?

My second question is for Ms McGinley. I have heard an incredible number of stories of exploitation from undocumented people living in this country. They are incredibly frightened. They are living in substandard conditions. They are tied to their employers, as Ms McGinley said, and marginalised from society. Ms McGinley set out a large number of recommendations. I have been working on trying to push measures with the Minister for Justice, so I am glad for Ms McGinley's highlighting of a number of extra ones. Do we know how many undocumented workers there are in the country? They and their families are working and living in this country but the are being treated disgracefully. Some deeply upsetting stories have come across my desk of families being put into terrible conditions and treated badly. We are awaiting legislation. Do we know how many undocumented workers there are in this country? What is the best advice that I can give to someone who comes to my office looking for help? I am trying and am working with the system. Does Ms McGinley believe that these migrant workers feel free to present to the MRCI? I often believe it is seen as officialdom even though it is separate to officialdom and that any sort of authority is seen as a threat. Is there a barrier to putting a hand up to even an open door like the MRCI?