Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The scheme was established in this manner so that it would not be adversarial. One alternative was to require people to go through the courts and make their case on the witness stand, with the possibility of being subjected to cross-examination and significant financial losses if the case is unsuccessful. The Deputy will be aware that judgments in a number of recent cases have found against the women concerned. The other alternative was a form of tribunal which would adopt a similarly adversarial approach. The chosen scheme is the least adversarial system that could be established. It is not unreasonable to require the 577 people who have made applications to produce evidence that they underwent surgical symphysiotomy. Of the 235 offers made, 222 have been accepted.

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