I am seated behind the Minister. I have his back. There are many vulnerable groups in society, but I wish to raise the plight of a particularly vulnerable small group, namely, expectant mothers. This issue has been raised previously in the House. Like many other Deputies, I have begun to receive an increased volume of correspondence from expectant mothers. As the Minister is aware, they are not allowed to be accompanied by their partners or spouses during labour, which is particularly isolating, lonely and distressing. In addition, they are not allowed to be accompanied by their spouses or partners when attending any pregnancy-related appointment. I recently received correspondence from a young woman who was one of just two expectant mothers in a waiting room capable of holding up to 100 people. Her husband had to wait for her in their car for up to five hours. I ask the Minister to explain the rationale behind these rules and to outline whether there is any hope of them being relaxed somewhat in the context of public health.

The Deputy's time is up. I do not know whether the Minister will be able to explain the rationale in a minute.

As I have stated several times during Leaders' Questions and Questions on Promised Legislation, the Government tends to follow public health advice because it is a good north star to follow in these times. However, one sometimes wonders what the rationale for particular decisions is. In the instance cited by the Deputy, I tend to agree with him. The restrictions to which he referred are a remarkable imposition on and difficulty for expectant parents. Anyone who has been in that position knows that being present when one's child is born or when a scan comes through for the first time is one of the most important moments in one's life. I believe the restrictions are applied on a case-by-case basis. Different hospitals are applying different rules. My personal view is that it would be far better and more appropriate to allow partners to be present for those particular moments, as much for the resultant health benefits as for anything else.