Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I assure Deputy Kelly that the Government understands this. It is a very serious issue for women and their partners. The latest guidance was published on 3 September with an implementation date of 13 September, and that clearly sets out the controls and access for partners as well. I know the Minister for Health appeared before the Joint Committee on Health this morning to deal with other matters. I will certainly raise this matter directly with him.

The Deputy will also know that clinicians at a local hospital level will make decisions they believe is appropriate for them, many of which, I will be honest, I do not agree with. I have met with and listened to women who have been in this situation of having partners waiting in cars for hours and coming in for a half an hour or an hour. That is not something that I think is right. It is not right and no one can stand over that. I again ask those hospitals that have restrictions in place now to remove them and allow unfettered access.

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