David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

Making indemnity a statutory requirement threatens women's safety in childbirth. Section 41, as drafted, obliges a mother whose midwife's insurance has just lapsed to choose one of two alternatives - to give birth at home without professional attendants, or to face unwanted medical treatment in a hospital. Women who do not fit the indemnity criteria are already opting to give birth at home without professional attendants. As I said on Second Stage when we flagged the problems we have with this, the community midwives organisation has lobbied all Senators and Deputies on this matter. My colleague, Deputy Ó Caoláin, has tabled a similar motion in the Dáil. We have genuine concerns. We accept that midwifery has to be practised to the highest standard. We have no difficulty with the principle of indemnity. The way it is being presented in the Bill is a cause of concern, as is the way it will work out. For those reasons, we will not support the Bill if our amendment is not accepted.