Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Of course, the bottom line here is that if you seek an external independent report, get the recommendations, fail to implement those recommendations, and then see the same issues arise again, it is not exactly rocket science to know how that has happened. We, as elected representatives, have been misled. On a really important report in relation to the birth of children at a hospital, a report that is that important, we were misled in terms of the recommendations not being implemented. We need to hear urgently on the floor of the Dáil from the Minister for Health. I stand to be corrected but, as far as I am concerned, she has not said a word on this matter in this House. I wrote to her over two weeks ago seeking a meeting for all of us, as Oireachtas Members across parties, to sit down and meet with her to ensure we can put across to her the worry and the stress at what should be the happiest time for women in their lives. I cannot put across to the Minister of State the stress this has put on women and their families. The Minister should have been here tonight to answer those questions and answer those women.

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