Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, genuinely, and we are engaging on this because my stated aim when I published the original Bill was to use the phrase "shortly after birth". I accept that this amendment is different but it was my intention to insert "shortly after birth" to allow the clinicians to understand and interpret that. However, the feedback I got from the medical community and the Attorney General was that this was too vague and that we should specify a time period. There is a thin line here that we need to get right and the neonatal period is an understandable time period. If we start going beyond the neonatal period, are we moving beyond fatal foetal into foetal abnormality? That is where we are trying to get to. I accept that there are people to whom we would all like to speak about this issue who could help cast greater light on it for us. If there is a better way of doing this, I am more than happy to do it. However, I am coming to Committee Stage today with a very clear view that clinical leaders in this area, those drawing up the clinical guidelines, are finding that clarity on the time period in the legislation helpful. I will go back to them and will share with Deputy Donnelly what they impart to me and if it is anything to the contrary, I am more than happy to revisit this.