Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this very important motion. It is grand to be talking about something as natural as this. When we were talking about babies last year, it was talk about killing people but this is better, proper and natural. The birth of a baby is a very important thing to a mother and a family. We need to ensure we have a safe, modern and world class service for mothers and babies.

I commend the tremendous maternity services at Tralee General Hospital and I congratulate the doctors, nurses and midwives who provide those services. They are exceptionally good, as are maternity services at Cork University Hospital. For many people in County Kerry, Cork University Hospital is closer than hospitals in Kerry.

As stated by Deputy Michael Collins, it has to be recognised that many parts of Kerry are long distances from Tralee General Hospital. Cuhig in Lauragh on the boundary of Ardgroom in the Bearhaven, Valentia Island and pockets of Glenmore and the Black Valley are approximately an hour and a half away from the maternity hospital. It should be possible for a pregnant woman who requires emergency services to access them in Dingle Community Hospital, Kenmare Community Hospital or Killarney Community Hospital. There must be emergency services available in these hospitals to allow for the delivery of a baby sooner than the journey to Tralee General Hospital would allow for the baby to be born safely.

It is important that we have a world class maternity service. We are appealing to the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, and the Government to ensure maternity services throughout the country, including in Kerry and Cork, are modern and world class. Our babies are our future and it is vital they are born safe and well for the well-being of our communities.

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