Thomas Pringle TD has today called for women’s welfare to be prioritised and for mistakes of the past regarding synphysiotomy to be addressed in order to tackle the injustices of the present.
Speaking on the matter to the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore at Leaders’ Questions in the wake of Savita Halappanavar’s death in Galway, the Independent TD for Donegal South West stated: “We have all been shocked to hear of the tragic and unnecessary death of Savita Halappanavar and the circumstances surrounding it.
“As rare as these incidences are, one life lost unnecessarily is one too many and is something which could happen to any of our wives, sisters or daughters as things now stand. Your government needs to end this risk right now and not delay any longer. However, the mistreatment of women under the State’s care is nothing new.
“This week, around 150 symphysiotomy survivors travelled to Dublin for the first screening of a documentary which examined this brutal practice. The Survivors of Symphysiotomy, who for many the operations were done without prior knowledge or consent, continue to call for justice and the recognition of the suffering they have gone through as a result of these barbaric procedures,” he said.
He added that for too long this State has failed women and that this must end.
“We must prioritise the welfare of the mother and what is best for women from a medical perspective so that we never see the likes of this, or incidents in more recent times, happening again.
“There needs to be a commitment to prioritising the wellbeing of women who find themselves in situations where their welfare is at stake. This government needs to listen to the calls of the survivors of symphysiotomy and waive the statute of limitations so that these women can be compensated for what was done to them under the watch of this State.
“This government must address the mistakes of the past in order to combat the injustices of the present and I call on them to do this as a matter of urgency so that all women can feel safe in the knowledge that their wellbeing is the priority of this State.”
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