Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I acknowledge the work of Senator Ó Murchú.

Will the Leader arrange a debate on maternity services and on the growing crisis in the provision of essential maternity care, in light of the comments by the master of one of the Dublin maternity hospitals? It is shocking to hear that it may be necessary to cap the number of admissions to a maternity hospital at a time when the population is increasing and when we have an increasing number of overseas workers, including women of child-bearing age.

We still do not know if the Hanly report will be implemented but if it is it will mean the closure of a number of maternity services around the country. If that happens there would be no maternity unit between, for example, Galway and Dublin. In light of this possibility, the Minister for Health and Children should come to the House and outline her policy with regard to a number of health issues, including maternity services and, in particular, the implementation of the Hanly report.