Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)

Nine weeks ago, on the return of the Dáil, I wrote to the Minister for Health in relation to a decision made to remove hundreds of births from the maternity service in Portiuncula in Ballinasloe. I looked for a meeting for all Oireachtas Members and all parties, not just myself, with the Minister for Health. We have had mixed messages. We have had the 2018 Walker report on maternity services in Portiuncula. HSE management and the hospital manager told us the report's recommendations were implemented in full.

The chief executive of the HSE, however, has said that in no way, shape or form could it be suggested that they were implemented. We need answers. To me, this issue is way above politics. I want us to have an opportunity to sit down with the Minister. She needs to be able to stand over the decision that has been made. This affects women giving birth to their babies, who will have to travel farther. They are worried sick at what should be the happiest time of their lives. I am simply asking for the Minister for Health to sit down with Oireachtas Members from the area so that we, as their elected representatives, can answer, engage and tell the truth to these pregnant women.

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