Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 22 November 2017

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution

Termination in Cases of Foetal Abnormality: One Day More (Resumed)

1:30 pm

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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My question follows on from previous questions. I thank the witness for being here. She has spoken very articulately and it is important that the committee hears her viewpoint.

Ms McDermott made the point that women need support. We are all agreed that we need to do more in this country to improve our pathways to care for women when dealing with a crisis pregnancy, be it fatal foetal abnormalities and so on. In this regard, we need to ensure that they have proper supports, including counselling. Am I correct that in the case of a woman who obtains a diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality, who receives all the counselling that is appropriate and required in that regard, and having the discussed the matter with her partner, opts to not continue the pregnancy, bearing in mind that she planned the pregnancy and wants the baby, Ms McDermott does not believe that she should have that choice?