Ms Mairie Cregan:

A question was asked in respect of the parents who have received a diagnosis of foetal abnormality. Féileacáin has no mandate to give advice or travel information and we do not do so. All we do is provide space to listen to the parents. We find that on occasion mothers would feel they are being rushed into a decision but we give them space. We do not judge but we listen. We have no policy on fatal foetal abnormalities. That is our strategy and the reason is that we do not want anybody to come to Féileacáin thinking that we are on one side or another of the debate. Everyone present has a view on termination for medical reasons but probably diametrically opposed views. We do not discuss this issue. We want to give a family member that is coming to Féileacáin the opportunity to speak and be listened to and we will bracket our own views. We are getting more and more people who around the time of the 20 week scan for anomalies find themselves in this awful situation.

This will be a growing issue in the areas of stillbirth and neonatal support. We do not advertise our views so they have a safe place to come. Does this address what the committee member asked?