Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator Henry's call for a debate on maternity services. I have a brother-in-law who has given parliamentary evidence in another jurisdiction on the question of home births. The issue of whether all births need to take place in large high-tech maternity hospitals is something which is worthy of discussion.

I would like to comment on what Senator Norris said. If we believe in pluralism, multiculturalism and so on, those of us who belong to the dominant language tradition in practice in this country – maybe that is most of us if it is English-speaking – should have a bit of respect and not trample over places.