Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I suppose all I can say is that this is extraordinarily difficult for both of the witnesses and for others who are in the same situation. It is also extremely powerful in terms of explaining to people what is involved. Like others, I thank the witnesses for this. Most of the questions have been around the experience of the baby dying. I was particularly moved by the cruelty of what happens after the baby dies, and having to bring the baby home in the case of people who went to England or Northern Ireland, and having to put the baby in the boot of the car crossing the ocean, or on the carousel in the airport, or having the ashes of the baby with a courier. For any of us who lose somebody we love, having a funeral, whether it is cremation or burial or religious or otherwise, is an important right, and it must be particularly important in terms of in some way coming to terms with, and dealing with, the whole traumatic experience. Will the witnesses expand a little on this experience and, in particular, on the fear of people actually saying they have had a termination but need a funeral?