Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I just want to make one point first. I am not reading out the script that might have been provided to the Senator because it does not reflect the position of the Government and it certainly does not reflect the position of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I am getting that checked. I have been talking to the Minister. The position is that, first, we have championed women's healthcare from day one. The announcement that the HSE made was not sanctioned and is not and was not agreed by the Government. As soon as the Minister heard about this, he instructed the HSE to pause it. He has committed now to increase the supports and he says that no woman will be left worse off. He wants to emphasise that he, the Government, and Senators, have championed women's healthcare from day one of the Government. That is about as clear as I can put this issue. The decision has been reversed by the Minister, and no woman will be worse off.