Fitzgerald: Maternal care in transitional phase during time of symphysiotomies

The UN Human Rights Committee has expressed concern at the treatment of the survivors of symphsiotomy.

The UN Human Rights Committee has expressed concern at the treatment of the survivors of symphysiotomy.

The issue has been raised on the second day of the committee's hearings in Geneva, discussing human rights treatment in Ireland.

There has been a mixed reaction to the government's redress scheme, with some survivors saying the payments are too low.

One member of the committee said the treatment of the victims had "kept him awake at night".

Replying to the committee, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said: "Certainly by today's standards of obstetric care, symphysiotomy certainly would not be indicated.

"One has to make the point that maternal care in obstetrics was very much in a very transitional phase at that time."