James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was asked what happens to a child born at 30 weeks. The answer is that it will be same that happens at present if a child is born at 30 weeks. The child will be supported in the neonatal unit and go home with his or her parents or parent at the end. What happens, as I think Deputy Timmins was inferring, where the mother does not wish to bring the child home is that the child will be taken into care in the normal way, put up for adoption, and the best will be done for the child to find him or her a family.

Deputy Timmins asked about a 24 week gestation where disability occurs as a consequence of early delivery or, at least, where we believe it would be a consequence of early delivery, because we know there are associated disabilities with the earlier birth of children around this period of time. There is no liability on the State, but the State will look after the child if the mother does not wish to take the child home when he or she is fit to go home.

Deputy Timmins then asked a question on the assurances of the Taoiseach, etc. That is not appropriate to this setting.