Dervla

I see no evidence whatsoever that the consultants, the midwives, the people who are working in our hospitals are not there to provide a safe service for women based on their needs.

That's their profession.

That's what they're there to do.

You know, and it's terrible that women have been terrorised into this idea that somehow if you don't come up with a big chunk of money, you should be scared.

You do, you do.

And, you know, some of those sales points might be to do with private rooms, with better food, whatever.

You know, let me just be clear.

I have absolutely no problem if consultants who wish to continue to provide private only care establish private hospitals.

We have loads of private hospitals in Ireland.

You know, we have a whole system of private care.

It's thriving.

It's, you know, it's very viable.

the reason why maternity care is not provided in private hospitals is primarily to do with insurance.

The state has to pay the insurance.

And, you know, Mount Carmel, which we mentioned, went out of business, right?

Partly because, you know, the insurance problem was huge.

And so, you know, this idea that because

the private system can't provide maternity care on a private basis.

But we're therefore forced to accept that those who have signed, and again, you see what Cathy was saying was simply not true.

There are still lots, you can go on the websites of any of the maternity hospitals and you will see