Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am also very disappointed the Minister is refusing to accept our amendment. We can no longer bury our heads in the sand. The Bill currently passing through the Dáil would legalise the procedures I mentioned in my previous speech, with no regard for any human rights of the child, with no regard for any human dignity of that child and with no regard for any pain or suffering those procedures may cause to those children. The intention of this amendment is to recognise that these procedures often cause suffering to unborn babies. The very least we owe those babies is to protect them from pain.

It is worth reminding ourselves that despite the misleading Title of the Bill as the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill, the definition of that phrase in the Bill makes it clear that the Bill is all about the termination of life. Section 2 defines termination of pregnancy as a medical procedure which is intended to end the life of a baby. The Minister would like us to believe that doctors who want to participate in the intentional ending of a child's life usually on the request of the mother, would then, of course, also consider the matter of pain relief for the baby, but this is just not logical.

Surely that means it is up to us to ensure the child's interests are represented in some small way in the Bill. These procedures are in stark contrast to procedures specifically intended to deliver a baby early to end a pregnancy that way. We are speaking here of the only procedures regulating this Bill - those intended to end the life. I am sure the Minister is well aware that he has not made it clear exactly which procedures to end the life of that defenceless baby would be legal. Therefore, we can only assume that the most barbaric and inhumane ones would be legal unless the Minister outlaws them. Up to now the Minister has neglected to put any protections for unborn babies in the Bill. We will not hold our breaths on that one.

It is already horrific enough that we are even discussing how we would end the life of an unborn child. As Members will all know at this stage, I would always favour trying to help every unborn baby to live as well as helping the mother through whatever difficult situation she is in.

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