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

I am very disappointed that the Minister is not supporting our amendment. It is clear that he is not listening to what we are saying or does not understand what we are saying. We are simply asking for something basic and humane, which is that if a baby survives an abortion, he or she gets the same attention as a baby in a maternity ward. We are talking about two different places because when a woman goes into the maternity ward, the ambition is to ensure that the baby is born and looked after. We are not sure because we did not have abortion here in this country heretofore.

A number of us, and I am sure a number of Deputies on the other side as well, definitely met this lady across the road in Buswells. She told us what happened to her, we believe her and she gave us a firm account of what happened. Herself and her mother are good friends now. The mother was forced into having the abortion by another family member and gladly, she survived all that trauma. We are simply asking that everything possible is done and every medical intervention available is utilised to ensure the baby gets a proper chance at life.

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