Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)

In one and a half years in the previous Dáil and one year to date in this Dáil, I have come across a number of forgotten groups in society. These include the post-polio survivors, survivors of thalidomide and women who lived - or, rather, existed - in the Magdalen laundries. This is another group that has been forgotten by society. I acknowledge the work of Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin in bringing this matter to the Chamber, where it deserves to be, and in setting up the all-party group on the topic.

The facts of the procedure are chilling and disturbing. These include unhinging the pelvis, severing joints and sundering pubic bones. I acknowledge that 180 women still survive. Some of them have ended up permanently disabled, incontinent and in pain. Some faced the anguish of losing their babies doing the procedure. It is a very sad issue. In talking about it, can we do justice to the stories in the way these women can? Some of the women were unaware of what they were going through, which is frightening, because it was not spoken of until recently. I acknowledge the work of Marie O'Connor and her book, Bodily Harm: Symphysiotomy and Pubiotomy in Ireland 1944-92. She pays tribute to the women and speaks of their courage, tenacity, determination and indomitable spirit. It must be difficult for them to sit here and go through it all again.

The procedure was described as widening the pelvis but it really severed the pelvis. It was carried out by doctors at the same time as they were withholding the procedure of caesarean section. It was dangerous for mothers and babies and some procedures were performed in the aftermath of the caesarean while others were performed during labour. It is too cruel to think about it. Women in labour for many hours could have had the operation forced upon them without warning in the labour ward or in theatre and sometimes without anaesthetic. One can imagine the pain of women trying to give birth with an unhinged pelvis and then discharged with a broken pelvis with no medical treatment and no painkillers. The idea of patient consent or discussion with the patient of the implications and consequences of the procedure was a non-event. Options were not discussed and a lot of time elapsed before the women understood what had happened. It belongs to a time when women, their dignity and their rights were a non-event. We have seen examples of the failure of care during surgery and afterwards when people with walking disabilities were in chronic pain. The disability benefits were inadequate, as was access to services. These women suffered and their health was affected and they deserve to be looked after by the State. I note that the Minister mentioned the range of services but these are not getting through to all of the women. Like many of the ladies in the Magdalene laundries, their advancing age is a factor and they should have justice before their time is over. Caesarean section was a safer alternative yet dangerous operations such as symphysiotomy and pubiotomy were continued. This must be seen as an example of medical negligence and breaches of the constitutional rights of women, their right to dignity, the right to make decisions about their own bodies and the right to medical care and treatment. It was a violation of human rights and is linked to a male-dominated medical profession, the male-dominated Catholic Church and decisions made about women to which they were not party. Many of our institutions were involved in that. One lady called it a daily crucifixion.

I support the calls made and the questions that must be answered. We must acknowledge the physical and psychological disabilities. The questions include why there are no medical records, why they are not receiving the care they need, why medical staff did not give them information about the procedure prior to it and why women were discharged with pelvic injuries without providing adequate care. There is no doubt it is barbaric.

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