Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I am very aware of their organisation and know of the great work it does. I have had friends and family members who have, unfortunately, been recipients of memory boxes. I know of some local photographers at home in Dungarvan - the witnesses may be aware of them - who have been very active in supporting the organisation. She does a great amount of work with the public at home to highlight the work it does.

I thank Mr. Roche in particular for sharing his very personal story. I commend him and his family on the work they have done in highlighting the issue.

Deputy McLellan tapped on the issue I was going to focus on. My child, who is now 12, was sick when she was born. One of the most treasured things I had was a Polaroid photograph of her in an incubator because I could not be with her because she was so unwell at the time. It is very important to have those memories and have those photographs available to parents. The witnesses are right in saying we need to find out how we can rectify the situation and make that camera available. She is 12 now, so that was in 2002. The nurses in Waterford Regional Hospital had a Polaroid camera and were taking photographs of sick babies for parents, which is a hugely powerful thing. One particular midwife used to send one up to me every couple of hours because babies change so quickly. I think we need to solve that.

From attending the clinics, we all know the other expectant mothers in our community, and when one sees that mother bring her child to his or her first day at school, of course it is there in one's head. It would be very powerful for those families to have a day. It is not just the couple but also includes the extended family. I attended a Féileacáin service, a Mass, in Cork with a family member. I believe there was a quilt or a memory wall. I cannot remember exactly as it was a couple of years ago. It was a hugely powerful thing for someone who lost a baby a long time ago. It does not go away.

I again thank the witnesses. They mentioned the stillbirth register. I ask them to explain that because I do not believe people are familiar with it. I know a Bill on registrations is going through the House at the moment. Has Féileacáin had any input into that? Do the witnesses have any thoughts on how the stillbirths register is managed?