Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The tribunal's rules of procedure enable it to make directions to progress urgent matters. The tribunal registrar has confirmed that urgent claims will be facilitated.

It remains the right of any woman or family to go to court. The Government wants to make the tribunal entirely user-friendly and the vehicle of choice for the settlement of these issues.

We recognise the right of women to go to court if that is their choice, but the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, is continuing to keep the issue under review and if improvements can be made, he will bring forward the proposals.

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