Responses on Gaelscoileanna and maternity
The Leader rejects the Gaelscoil amendment but offers to bring the Education Minister to the House, and disputes claims that maternity services are being weakened while obstetrician recruitment continues.
Senator Marc MacSharry proposed an amendment to the Order of Business which I do not propose to accept. I note his points about Gaelscoileanna. The Government is intent on supporting the Irish language. Second stream education for Gaelscoileanna is in place in several areas, in particular Waterford. I am sure the Minister for Education and Skills would be quite willing to come to the House to discuss the matter and I will endeavour to bring him here.
I suggest the Senator is scaremongering about obstetrician services in the north west and elsewhere. What is meant by midwife-led services, in conjunction with obstetricians, has been explained by Senator Michael Mullins, in particular.
Comment on this
He has not even seen the report.
Comment on this
It does not make any sense to speak as the Senator does when a recruitment process is in place for obstetricians in many areas he mentioned.