Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I accept that ruling but there were two elements to amendment No. 14 and by looking back now, I think I should have broken it up.

In amendment No. 14, I sought four midwives to be provided for in that subsection. I then continued "including one who shall be a self-employed community midwife". That latter point is lost on the basis of the numbers at the outset of my amendment. I do not wish to press it, but I ask the Minister of State to take on board that section 24(3)(b)(i) at the top of page 30 states "2 midwives, including one who may be a self-employed community midwife;". I ask the Minister of State to reflect that the word "may" allows for it not to happen. I ask that be changed to "shall be a self-employed community midwife;". I believe self-employed community midwives must be statutorily provided for in terms of access to the structures post this legislation.

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