Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, is aware of the research article to which the Deputies refer on foetal medicine specialists' experience in providing a new service of termination of pregnancy for fatal foetal anomaly. The research article to which the Deputies refer reports on interviews carried out with ten foetal medical specialists in Ireland.

Foetal medicine focuses on the management of high-risk pregnancies and includes the assessment of foetal growth and the diagnosis of foetal illness and abnormality. The Minister is advised that in certain circumstances it may be necessary to perform specialised diagnostic tests on a foetus, for example, amniocentesis to check for certain chromosomal or genetic conditions of the foetus. Such diagnostic tests may be recommended, for example, if an earlier screening test or scan suggested that there may be an anomaly within the foetus.

Regrettably, at times these diagnostic tests identify conditions that have no known cure. Where a test shows that the foetus has a genetic or chromosomal abnormality, the healthcare team provides information to the woman concerned and discusses the options that are available either to continue or end the pregnancy.

The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 sets out the parameters in which the termination of pregnancy may be lawfully carried out in this country. The Act permits termination to be carried out in cases where there is a risk to the life or of serious harm to the health of the pregnant woman, where there is a condition present which is likely to lead to the death of the foetus, and without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Section 11 sets out the laws on access of termination of pregnancies in cases where there is a condition present affecting the foetus and that is likely to lead to the death of the foetus before or within 28 days of birth. It requires the involvement of two medical practitioners. One must be an obstetrician and the other a medical practitioner of a specialty relevant to the diagnosis, care or treatment of the condition affecting the foetus. Both medical practitioners must certify their reasonable opinion formed in good faith before the termination of pregnancy can be carried out. It is essential that we are clear on the purpose of the legislation. It is to set out the law governing access to termination of pregnancy in Ireland. It is not to dictate the practice of obstetrics or of medicine more generally.

Medical practitioners are always required to maintain professional standards and to uphold medical ethics. They are bound, through professional regulatory mechanisms, to deliver medical services in accordance with the best medical practice.

The operation of section 11 of the Act is supported by clinical guidelines developed by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The implementation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 has put in place a comprehensive termination of pregnancy service in Ireland. It allows us to look after women experiencing crisis pregnancies in this country rather than forcing them to travel abroad for care, as we have done in the past.

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