John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There has been much discussion in recent weeks about Deputies acting on their conscience. I draw the Taoiseach's attention to a group of women in the Visitors Gallery who are also faced with an impossible decision. I also welcome members of the medical profession. The women concerned found themselves being told in heartbreaking fashion that they were carrying a baby who would live for just seconds or minutes outside the womb. They faced a crisis of conscience - whether to continue with their doomed pregnancy only to watch their baby die in their arms after taking its first breath or whether to end the pregnancy. A total of 1,500 women in Ireland face this dreadful decision every year or four women every day and 80% of them travel abroad for a termination. Last week the Government received an amendment to the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 from the Termination for Medical Reasons group, which is campaigning for the right to terminate pregnancies. The group comprises women and members of the legal and medical professions. Has the Taoiseach seen the letter they sent him? What are his views? The group has received legal advice that it is possible to include a reference to fatal foetal abnormalities in the upcoming Bill. Does he accept its argument? If not, is he prepared to support a referendum to repeal the eighth amendment to the Constitution? Every day in this country four devastated couples are told the woman is carrying a foetus with fatal abnormalities. There is simply no argument for forcing these women to carry an unviable foetus to term in the knowledge that it will be incapable of surviving. They face one of the most difficult and harrowing decisions any person will have to make - a decision that is not taken lightly - but by not legislating for it and providing the legal and medical framework needed, we are forcing them in tragic circumstances to leave their home and country without care or advice at a time when they should be surrounded by their loved ones. I have to use the word "barbaric". If the Taoiseach spoke to any of these women like I have from all over the country and listened to the harrowing details, he would cry. I ask him not to allow this to continue.

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