Imelda Henry (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and welcome him to the House.

I am delighted to hear the Minister's commitment to women in this country, in particular, pregnant women in ensuring their safety in maternity units in our region. We have a fantastic maternity unit in Sligo General Hospital, and also in Letterkenny, Mayo, Galway and Portiuncula.

What has happened in the past few weeks is regrettable. It is disgraceful how Senator MacSharry scaremongered the women, particularly in Sligo. I have been on the doorsteps with a candidate who was seven months' pregnant. We met many women on the doorsteps, including pregnant women and women who will be pregnant in the future, who were frightened by what he was saying. He was saying it, if he does not mind me saying so, in an aggressive and arrogant manner, and that is regrettable.

I am delighted to hear the Minister state here today his commitment to maternity services in our region. I would also be very supportive of midwifery-led services, obviously, backed up by obstetricians and gynaecologists. Certainly, that is the future of maternity services in this country.

I compliment all the wonderful midwives who we have in those hospitals and the work that they do and their commitment to their job. However, I want to put on the record of this House that what went on during the local elections in Sligo was unfortunate. I know it was led by Senator MacSharry. It is good that we can debate maternity services in the country in this Chamber and discuss changes that we may like to see happen, but the bottom line for everybody is the safety of women in this country.

Ireland has very good maternity services thus far and I thank the Minister.