Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The HSE is talking to insurers about the issue addressed in the Senator's question, which is not a matter for law.

On ectopic pregnancy, neither I nor Senator Mullen is a doctor and nor are most other Senators. I am sure doctors and general practitioners following this debate know the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, which are very specific. I and members of my family have had experience of ectopic pregnancy and how it presents. At all times, as an individual and particularly as a woman, I would put my trust in my GP and the doctor dealing with me in the maternity hospital. In my opinion, doctors know best and when it comes to ectopic pregnancies I am sure they do everything in their power, as medical professionals, to ensure people are safe. To reiterate the point for Senator Mullen, if a doctor is in doubt at any stage, he or she can require that an ultrasound be made available to the patient.