Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

I strongly support the point made by Senator Fitzgerald on the need for debate and discussion on the issue of maternity scanning. This is a matter of great importance given the debates in this House regarding the role of the HSE. The HSE was set up to do many things, two of the most important being to ensure that good practice was spread across the entire country and to ensure that a solid understanding was in place regarding what happened throughout the country. As this saga unfolded during the week, it emerged that the first such incident took place in a hospital in Galway in 2006. Although a new procedure was meant to be put in place to ensure it did not happen again, it did not spread beyond that region. Moreover, the HSE gave assurances at the start of the week that only one or two people were involved in this matter. However, by the end of the week the number had risen to nearly a dozen. As someone who had the privilege to be present for the scans of my own children before their arrival, I cannot imagine the trauma this has caused to the parents — and to mothers in particular — who have heard this news. It is vital that a public statement be made on this.

On the reports on banking that Members will discuss soon, I refer to one subtle but highly important development that Members from both sides of the House should welcome. The independence of our main financial institutions, that is, the Financial Regulator and the Central Bank is becoming increasingly apparent each day. In addition, the rigour is becoming increasingly apparent and this is to the benefit of all.