Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will speak first while Deputy Mattie McGrath prepares his speaking notes. The amendment deals with our concerns that the pregnancy concerned has not exceeded 12 weeks of pregnancy, and that the termination of the pregnancy concerned is not being sought because of the sex or race of the baby concerned or because of any condition or disability affecting the baby concerned.

It was Deputy Mattie McGrath who introduced me and others to a person who had survived an abortion. We met that person and it was deeply concerning to all of us at the time. The story that lady had to tell us was frightening, and that is where the amendment came from in the first instance. Quite simply, when one is told of a factual event that happened in a person's first hours or minutes of life, it is sobering.

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It had a profound effect on me and some of my colleagues who were also deeply affected by what we were told.

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