Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms McDermott for coming in. It is much appreciated by all members and I know how difficult it must be for her.

There has been much discussion of crisis pregnancies at the committee but there is no doubt that a diagnosis in the latter part of a wanted pregnancy that reveals a condition that will limit the life of the baby is utterly devastating. Ms McDermott presented very well that in those circumstances help and support are absolutely critical and there is no doubt that the State has failed people in that regard. People who have had such a diagnosis and chosen to continue with the pregnancy, as Ms McDermott did, may have received great solace from that and felt it was the right decision for them. All members have met such people and it is very useful that they give their testimony. We have met others who chose a different ending and felt the best solution for them, factoring in all considerations, was to terminate the pregnancy. Many of them told of getting solace from the experiences they had in Liverpool Women's Hospital or whatever place it may have been. There is no right answer to the issue but there is a right answer for each individual pregnancy. Is it not the case that the only way of respecting that is by allowing people to make the latter choice in Ireland, surrounded by supports and family? A change in the constitutional position will not affect the decision making of those who decide to continue with the pregnancy and will only alter the position for those who decide to end it.