David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is important. I have checked with some of my colleagues, including those in government, who have been receiving similar queries. We want to be able to give the people the assurance that they are registered and will get a call. It would be good if we had some sense of the timeframe involved.

I also wish to put to the Minister the issue of pregnant women and permission for their partners to accompany them for scans. I have raised the matter with the Minister previously. In fact, I raised it many months ago with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and we had a constructive engagement in the Dáil Chamber. That shows how long it is since I first raised the issue. What I was looking for then and am looking for now is a uniform approach across all maternity hospitals. I understand the position is that in the majority of hospitals, the partner of the pregnant woman is allowed to accompany her for the 20-week scan and the birth. Given that we are easing restrictions, we could and should look at that area and consider extending that permission to other scans, especially during a complex pregnancy. We should be more flexible in better supporting the expectant mother and her partner. Will the Minister outline his position on the matter? What movement might we see in that area in due course?

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