John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am seated behind the Minister. I have his back. There are many vulnerable groups in society, but I wish to raise the plight of a particularly vulnerable small group, namely, expectant mothers. This issue has been raised previously in the House. Like many other Deputies, I have begun to receive an increased volume of correspondence from expectant mothers. As the Minister is aware, they are not allowed to be accompanied by their partner or spouse during labour, which is particularly isolating, lonely and distressing. In addition, they are not allowed to be accompanied by their spouse or partner when attending any pregnancy-related appointment. I recently received correspondence from a young woman who was one of just two expectant mothers in a waiting room capable of holding up to 100 people. Her husband had to wait for her in their car for up to five hours. I ask the Minister to explain the rationale behind these rules and to outline whether there is any hope of them being relaxed somewhat in the context of public health.

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