Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This morning, not only the HSE spokesperson but the masters of the maternity hospitals have been saying that they are struggling to cope with the level of births and the level of services they must provide in our maternity hospitals. We all know it and they have been saying it for a very long time.

The report identifies failures in management and accountability, including political failures, but it also raises the question of resources. I suggest to the Tánaiste that if "never again" is really to mean never again, we need to resolve the accountability and governance issues, including the role of the Cabinet and of the Minister for Health. We must also be truthful about the resources that are required in our maternity hospitals. Anyone who visits the Rotunda, the Coombe or Holles Street can see the bedlam at play at times in those fine facilities. One is left in no doubt that there is an acute resource issue on the front line. I say as much to the Tánaiste, not to let anyone off the hook in respect of the lack of treatment and appropriate care for Savita Halappanavar - I am keen to emphasise that point - but simply to state that if we are serious about the safety of women and their babies and a quality maternity care service, we must have a resourced front line. On Tuesday, the Government will have an opportunity to ensure that is the case.

Will the Tánaiste be more specific about the implementation of these recommendations? Does he intend to speak or has he spoken to the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly? Will the Tánaiste ask the Minister for Health to come before the House without delay to set out his response to the report and the failure of hospitals throughout the State to implement the recommendations many years on? Will the Tánaiste give a commitment to the women of the country that he will ensure the necessary resources are at the front line, where women and their babies need them?

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