Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I am not familiar with the CSO figures that were released today as, in common with the Deputy, I have been very busy. However, the population is undoubtedly increasing in the eastern region in particular, which puts pressure on the system. I understand the number of births in County Louth has doubled in a six-year period, which constitutes a considerable increase.

As for Cork University Maternity Hospital, while efforts were made at local level to resolve the issue, eventually it ended up going through all the State's industrial relations machinery. The Labour Court recommended that it should open and staffing levels were recommended and have been agreed. The ratio of midwives to births in the Cork hospital will be 1:23, while the equivalent ratio in the National Maternity Hospital is 1:32. The director of midwifery and the obstetricians there have stated that it was safe. While I do not wish to say anything that might inflame the situation, I hope the difficulty can be resolved and that the hospital can be opened next Saturday. One of the issues to be addressed is the speed at which the required additional staff can be recruited.

The report from the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in respect of nationwide maternity services has many good features. I have read the report, which suggests that all existing maternity units should be retained. This came as a surprise because previous advice from obstetricians did not seem to take that view. In recent years, insurance issues and other factors led to the closure of maternity units in locations such as Dundalk, based on patient safety and best practice.

It is clear that the number of consultants, including obstetricians, in the health care system must be greatly increased. Undoubtedly, their number must be doubled. Other staff are also required, which is why a new contract with consultants is particularly important in order that recruitment may take place. While I am aware it does not affect the recruitment of nurses and midwives, it certainly affects the recruitment of doctors and substantially more must be recruited in both anaesthetics and obstetrics.

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