Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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It is a sad one. The death of a baby around the time of birth is something you never expect. It is the most traumatic experience a family will go through. It is important that there be support and help for everyone. The work being done by Féileacáin is excellent. We need to work with it on this. At the end of the day, a life is a life.

Caroline and Martin talked about Stephen, which was lovely. They keep bringing him into the conversation. He will always be part of their family. He will always be there. He will always be their son. It is important that we as a Government recognise that, too.

I listened to the stories. It is difficult. As Senator Clonan said, you could be fine for weeks and weeks and then, all of a sudden, something could come up or affect you. It affects all of the family.

I am just here to give my support and say, “Well done”. This is such an emotional issue. Speaking about it is not easy because there are so many memories and so much heartache for the family. Great work is being done by Féileacáin. I came down to the committee room because I felt it was so important to give our guests the support they need. Coming in here today was not easy for them. Grief is always hard. My mother passed away a few months ago. She is actually buried quite near to where a baby is buried. I see that baby’s family going there all the time. They grieve. As Martin said, people grieve in different ways. They might go and sit at the grave for ages, they might not be able to go. We have to support everyone who is grieving and who needs support. We need to consider this Bill and see what we can do to support families.

Well done on being here today. It is not easy.