Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hope that the Houses will be able to deal with this matter in the early part of the autumn session. My understanding is that there is all-party support and support from the Independent benches. With that in mind, I hope that matters can be progressed at the earliest opportunity.

Regarding the Deputy's comment on maternal deaths and the compilation of figures, such deaths are thankfully rare events in this country, as Deputy Harty will know from his medical experience. Due to their seriousness, however, it is vital that they be carefully monitored, reported and investigated. In this regard, I will advert to the second report on Ireland of the confidential inquiry into maternal deaths, which was published in Cork in February 2015. It identified a total of 31 maternal deaths in Ireland over the 2009-2012 period. My information is that practically all of those deaths were reported to a coroner, but I take Deputy Harty's point. It is important that each and every such death is carefully examined and dealt with. I hope to have the legislation enacted prior to the end of the year.

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