Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendment also. Quite rightly, we hear in the House and at every committee people advocating strongly for support for the most vulnerable in society. It is a basic tenet which we should all support. There is no one more vulnerable than the baby catered for in this particular amendment. The protection offered if this amendment were accepted would provide support to infants born alive as a result of the carrying out or attempted carrying out of termination of pregnancy under the Act. It is important for the Minister to give favourable consideration to the very fair proposals put forward in this amendment. There is a moral duty on everyone in the medical profession and among its support staff to fight for every person born regardless of the circumstances of his or her birth. The amendment merits approval by the House. In that context, I hope the Minister can revise what he has just said.

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