David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

My party is in favour of increasing safety. I do not want anybody to be confused about our amendment. We are in favour of increasing the welfare and safety of patients, including people who are giving birth. We are talking about the potential risks we see. Those risks have been highlighted by organisations that advocate on behalf on midwives. Our argument is that making indemnity a statutory requirement could present risks. That is the problem. I have given examples of the difficulties we see. I will give some more examples. Section 41, as drafted, prohibits attendance by uninsured midwives, even in cases of sudden or urgent necessity.