Ms Selina Bonnie:

On the inappropriateness of the parental capacity assessment and what is considered within these assessments, we think there are mechanisms in place for child safety concerns for existing children. In that case, why do it at a preconception stage? That is the point we are highlighting. As others have said, it is difficult to predict a risk. Disabled people are being held to a much higher standard than non-disabled people simply because they have more contact with social and health services and State bodies are more present in their lives than in the lives of non-disabled parents who can parent freely and are not subject to the same scrutiny.