Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the issue of care orders before birth, this is a very difficult area with which to deal. I fully accept that Dr. Shannon has examined all aspects of it. The big problem that will also arise is that if a care order is in place before birth, a partner who may have the same problem as the mother may intervene. The latter can give rise to a number of difficulties for medical and nursing staff. This is an issue which must be dealt with in a very careful manner. Each case will have to be judged on its merits. Nursing, medical and hospital administration staff would be very concerned by the prospect of fighting a number of battles simultaneously. Their first priority is to ensure the safe delivery of babies and to see to it that there are no risks to such children. If they are obliged to do this while a number of people are working against them, then matters can become difficult. The latter must be borne in mind when dealing with this issue.