Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the second issue raised by the Deputy, a memo from the Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs and Trade was brought before the Cabinet this morning. The memo dealt with the issues that need to be considered by this country arising from the fact that a referendum will be held, probably prior to 2017, and determined by the people of Britain. That takes into account all of the issues in respect of devolution for Scotland and Wales, the situation for English MPs and the consequences for Northern Ireland. I spoke to Prime Minister Cameron on Saturday morning. We both agreed that we should meet in advance of the next European Council meeting on 26 June. I expect that will be the first of a number of meetings. The issue that Deputy Adams raised in the context of the Good Friday Agreement is a cause of concern for us as co-guarantors of the Agreement and we will, of course, raise it.

In regard to the Deputy's question on HIQA, the second recommendation in the HIQA report was that the recommendations of that and previous HIQA reports be implemented. I cannot provide a date for publication of the Bill to which the Deputy referred but the Minister has accepted all of these recommendations, including the HIQA report on misdiagnosis of breast cancer and inadequacy of maternity services in other locations around the country. The fifth recommendation of the HIQA report was that the HSE should appoint a director of midwifery in every maternity unit in the country. I will revert to the Deputy with a progress report on the Bill but these eight recommendations have been accepted and are being followed through for implementation.

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