Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to speak on this amendment and to have put my name to it. Around my county since the vote, this is one of the issues that has been discussed by a lot of people. It is not unreasonable to require the administration of an anaesthetic to a foetus where the medical practitioner who is carrying out the termination is of the reasonable opinion, formed in good faith, that the gestational age of the foetus is 20 weeks or more. This is an advanced pregnancy and extra steps must be taken to ensure no pain is caused during the termination process. This obligation would not apply in an emergency case where it is not practicable or where it is believed that the administration of an anaesthetic to the foetus might pose a risk to the life or to the health of the pregnant woman. If there is no harm to the woman in this situation, there is no reason this cannot be administered. Anaesthetic and pain relief for babies undergoing surgery in the womb is generally recommended and this is simply an extension of that medical practice. I ask that the Government to accept this amendment.

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