Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

I also thank Senator Rónán Mullen and other colleagues for organising the event held this morning. It is interesting to deal with this issue. Figures were published in recent days on the perinatal mortality rate. We have made significant advances in this country in the past ten years. The figures are clear. There were 58,261 births in the country in 2001. The perinatal mortality rate was 8.6 per 1,000. In 2010, this had reduced to 6.8 per 1,000 despite that the number of births in the country had risen to above 75,000. This took place without a significant increase in hospital staffing. Much credit is due to the nursing, medical and all the back-up support staff in all the maternity hospitals in the country for the achievements of the past ten years. The perinatal mortality rate is now one of the lowest in all European states. This is a credit to the medical services in the country. We should debate the issue to determine how we can further improve the rates and give support to people such as the parents who were here this morning telling their stories. I agree with Senator O'Brien's call for a debate on this issue. We are fast to criticise the health service but slow to give credit where credit is due. This is one area where credit is due and where a significant improvement has been made in recent years through the dedication and commitment and hard work of the staff in all the maternity units.