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

I move amendment No. 37:

In page 11, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following:“Administration of anaesthetic or analgesic to foetus

15.(1) A medical practitioner who carries out a termination of pregnancy shall take all steps as may be appropriate and practicable to avoid causing pain to the foetus.

(2) Where the medical practitioner who is carrying out a termination of pregnancy is of the reasonable opinion formed in good faith that the gestational age of the foetus is 20 weeks or more, he or she shall administer or ensure the administration of an anaesthetic or analgesic to the foetus prior to the carrying out of the termination of pregnancy.

(3) Subsection (2)shall not apply where—

(a) 2 medical practitioners certify that they are of the reasonable opinion formed in good faith that the administration of an anaesthetic or analgesic to the foetus would pose a risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, of the pregnant woman in respect of whom the termination of pregnancy is being carried out, or

(b) a medical practitioner proposes to carry out a termination of pregnancy in accordance with section 11 and it is not practicable to comply with the obligation in subsection (2) because of the particular circumstances of the case.

(4) Where—

(a) an anaesthetic or analgesic is administered to a foetus in accordance with subsection (2), or

(b) subsection (3)or (4) applies,

the medical practitioner who carries out the termination of pregnancy shall include this information in the notification forwarded or caused to be forwarded to the Minister under section 21(1).”.

This amendment relates to the giving of pain relief to an unborn baby before an abortion is carried out. When I spoke on this on Committee Stage and we discussed it, I was taken aback by people's unwillingness to allow a baby the relief from pain that would definitely be endured during the course of an abortion. I believe in compassion and not wanting to hurt anybody or anything purposely. Who here can say that it is not true that when an abortion is taking place, a baby could feel pain? I would consider it only human to say it would be right and proper to offer and give pain relief to somebody who cannot ask for it.

As legislators and human beings we should be willing to offer it. I cannot see what harm this would do. If anybody can stand up here right now and criticise me and say what I am saying is wrong and that I am not right in what I am saying I beg them to do so. I beg them to tell me where am I wrong in looking for pain relief for an unborn baby. How am I out of order in looking for that?

The one thing that has been said to me by knowledgeable people is that the reason other people do not want to agree to this is because to do so would be to recognise this is a person we are talking about and that it is a baby. They do not want to recognise this fact. Surely after all we have gone through for people to stand up here today to ask the Minister and others to allow for this to go ahead and that pain relief would and could be given to stop an unborn baby feeling pain during an abortion is to make an ordinary request. I plead with the Minister and others to allow the amendment to be passed. If they will not do so and if they will fight against it I would love them to explain why. I would love them to tell me why I am wrong and why it is not a proper human thing to do and to educate me if they are able.

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