Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I take the point that other Deputies have made to the effect that we are not being prescriptive about legislation. We are not drafting legislation here. These are simply recommendations. I take the point that the Citizens' Assembly recommendation deals with the matter. However, I have been approached by parents who have asked me to try to get this through without gestational limits. This is why the recommendation was put forward. The idea is to show compassion to people who have been through the experience. They want to know that the gestational limits will not apply to them.

Having listened to the evidence of all witnesses I believe those provisions that put the woman and family at the centre of a case of desperation or a crisis pregnancy are absolutely the way to go. The choice that a person might make in such a circumstance will be difficult. It would not be easy and it would not be done without consulting many medical experts. I assume we all understand that in the context of the motion.

I wish we lived in a society that really cared for those who suffer disadvantage and disability and those who are most vulnerable, but we do not. We have not even ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities yet.

Recently, we watched the terrible tragedy of carers and the situation that they are left in for years. Often this abides for their entire lives. They are neglected by the State and not given proper respite care. There is extraordinary disadvantage for people in society. I only wish those who care passionately about the unborn cared even a fraction as much about those who are born.