Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleague, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, for sharing her time with me this evening. I thank Deputy Catherine Martin for bringing forward this motion. It is a well-timed and very important motion for many families. I compliment the Deputy and her party on bringing it forward. I acknowledge all the families and people who spoke today in AV room. They gave very powerful speeches and presentations, all of which I can relate to very closely.

It is important to acknowledge, in this whole conversation and debate, the support given by consultants, doctors, general practitioners and the aftercare and nursing staff. Without their input and help, all the premature babies that we speak about may not and would not survive. I am the father of a premature baby. She was born ten weeks early, 19 years ago. I spent much quality time in Holles Street and Temple Street hospitals. The story was not so good for some parents who came through the hospital during our time. We had a good story and our daughter is now 19. She has done her leaving certificate, is in college, and is leading a full life. That comes at a time when, before she left hospital, all of my wife's maternity leave was gone. That is something which we cannot be distracted from focusing on. We must allow that additional time for them. A good day in Holles Street hospital was when one went in to the neonatal unit and found no doctor or nursing staff around one's child's incubator. That was when one breathed a sigh of relief and celebrated because of knowing that the child was not in the danger zone at that time.

It is hugely emotional for parents, and cannot be distracted from by what is going on outside. When a child comes home from hospital, three very important things must happen. The child is premature and needs stimulation to survive and develop. He or she must get the human touch and interaction that has not been received and he or she suffers for being premature. The child must also get the aftercare that is needed. Children can have complications that need physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy, which are not afforded through the public health service. This is why it is so important that parental leave is extended. I hope this continues and is enacted and brought into law.

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