Dervla

That's all paid for, as well as the women being entitled to that bed, whether it's in a public room or whether it's in a private.

So the idea that these people don't pay, they're taxpayers as well, you know.

And there's a bill.

The bill that comes from VHI pays for the anaesthetist, pays for the theatre, pays for the labour ward.

There's a bill.

If you get your bill from a public hospital, if you're private, you get the bill.

Yeah, but the taxpayer is the patient as well.

I actually highlighted this two years ago when this came up.

I wrote to the minister at the time.

I have written a lot about this.

because I saw it coming.

I'm not of a childbearing age, but my children, some of them will be, and my grandchildren.

I am so worried about women in this country.

And a lot of the time it's men.

And people like Fintan O'Toole, who I generally support his views, writing like that about women.

No, but all I'm saying is,

It's taking away a right.

I don't know how the minister is going to manage this with smoke and mirrors, but it is unacceptable.

Now, the other situation is that these consultants are put under pressure to sign these contracts.

And that lady before me was right in saying eventually it will die out.