Gerry Adams
Question:1406. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health when the final Report by Professor Oonagh Walsh into the practice of symphysiotomy will be published. [37719/13]
View answerWednesday, 18 September 2013
Questions (1406)
Written answers
I do not intend to publish the final report on Symphysiotomy in Ireland referred to by the Deputy until the Government has reached a decision on this complex and sensitive matter.
I met the support groups representing the women who have been affected by symphysiotomy on 1st August 2013 and informed them that a decision has not yet been made by Government on how to put closure on the issue. I proposed at that meeting that I would initiate a mediation process for the women affected by symphysiotomy. I intend to appoint a judge to conduct this mediation. At the conclusion of the mediation process, the judge will advise me on how the matter may be progressed. I will then be in a position to bring proposals to Government and to publish the report as soon as possible after that. It is, of course, open to any woman not wishing to pursue mediation to bring a claim through the courts.