Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I warmly welcome both groups here this morning. I thank them for their submissions and for their ongoing work over so many years. In their submissions and comments here this morning, both groups make a really compelling case for the review to include recommendations on the legislation itself, as opposed to the operation of the Act. We had this debate with the Minister some months ago but his tendency was to restrict it to just the issue of the operation of the Act. As Ms O'Connor said, this is a really important moment. We have the experience of the last couple of years and we have to go forward on the basis of identifying the issues that have been highlighted and the shortcomings in the legislation. The review will not count for anything unless it includes very clear recommendations in relation to the Act itself and the legislative provisions therein. The committee would be very much at one with the witnesses on that issue. We have a job to do in making the case for legislative change and amendment.

I wish to take up the points Ms O'Connor made in her opening statement about geographical coverage nationally. It seems that the figures have remained the same since the legislation became operational. Is it the case that there is a view that just a number of GPs and maternity hospitals will provide the service and nothing can be done to change that situation? Have the witnesses had any engagement with any of the GP organisations and the HSE on improving the situation? Is work being done on identifying why so few doctors are participating and, from the HSE's point of view, why only just over half of the maternity hospitals are providing services? It is completely unacceptable that there is such institutional resistance. Has work been done or have the witnesses had engagement with any of those organisations?