Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Kelleher in respect of the maternity service in Cork. I raised this issue two weeks ago at a meeting of the Committee on Health and looked for some work to be done to resolve the delay in the availability of gynaecological services. My understanding is that there are more than 4,000 women on the waiting list. I also understand that the people in the maternity service are concerned about the system of governance there. More than 9,000 babies are delivered per annum in Cork University Maternity Hospital. This is the same as any one of the three big Dublin maternity hospitals, which have their own system of governance. We need to look at how it is managed and how those in the medical team do not believe they are getting enough support from management. It is a serious issue. I raised it two weeks ago at a meeting of the Committee on Health. This issue is not going away. I agree with my colleague that the Minister should come to the House and we should have a debate on the matter because this is the biggest unit outside Dublin. It is important that any of the issues that are being raised are fully aired in this House and an immediate solution to the problems found.

There were two good media reports on the HPV vaccine recently. The "Prime Time" investigation was a very comprehensive review. The evidence is there from Australia where they have been using the vaccine since 2007 and where there has been a 70% drop in cervical cancer rates among those who have received the vaccine. It is wrong that incorrect information is going out and that people are misleading the public on this matter. There has been a drop in the take up of the vaccine, which is now less than 50%. I have no difficulty with an open debate but both the "Prime Time" programme and the report in The Sunday Business Postgave a very detailed explanation of the inaccurate information that is out there and why people are concerned.