Results 1,781-1,800 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Cathaoirleach. This debate is deeply sensitive and I treat it with the greatest of respect. I want to clarify. I was a little disappointed with Senator Power, who inferred that I made a value judgment. I made no value judgment, and would not make a value judgment, between the two sets of women on how they decided to deal with their diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality. One...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: As I stated, I treat this with the deepest respect. I am making no value judgment here.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: In fairness, the women were here and we met them. I know they are not before us now. I am telling the House how they came across to me. I am merely explaining. One woman spoke about the joy that her child would just be able to feel the wind in her hair.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am merely saying that some day in the future we may be making a decision with regard to what we will legislate for in this respect. As legislators, we are fortunate to have the experience of having met some of these women. I would not make any of my points today only for that experience. It is unhelpful to state that I am making a value judgment. I thank Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: No.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am not making a Second Stage speech.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: In all cases of which I speak, they were given the diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality. In the latter case, those little children are now six-year-old twins, as she stated, running around in a playground in County Clare. With respect, all cases were given the diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality. Today is not the day that we will make a decision on this for the reasons that we are told...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am being really careful with my words here because I know that this diagnosis is the hardest situation of all. That is why I respect the amendments-----

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Excuse me. That is why I respect the amendments being placed on this issue.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: If I could continue my point, the reason they said they were happy is because they had a reference point around the birth of the baby. They had those few minutes, hours or years with the baby. They had their family around them. They had a support group. Every year afterwards, they were able to celebrate that life. I am not saying this is my view. That is what they stated, and I have to...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I want to thank Senators O'Donnell and Mac Conghaíl for putting down these amendments. This shows great courage. I have met and listened to women on both sides of this issue, women who have received the difficult diagnosis that their baby has a fatal foetal abnormality. I have listened to the stories of the trauma they all experienced, because in each case the pregnancy was wanted....

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, as titled, is misleading, misnamed and disingenuous. In other countries, a Bill providing for what we are to provide here would be called the abortion medical Bill or, at a minimum, the termination of pregnancy Bill. This is misleading. It is not about saving both lives and is a clear departure from the two-patient model. It is certainly not...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I was struck by the warning the psychiatrist gave that he would write to banks about clients of his who are threatening suicide because of the unrelenting pressure banks are putting on them. As we have learned quite well over the past few months, psychiatrists assess risk. In this House, we have seen how seriously we have taken the risk of suicide. We have taken it so seriously that we...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Under Standing Order 62(3)(b) I request that the division be taken again other than by electronic means.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank Senators Feargal Quinn and Mary-Ann O'Brien for moving my reasoned amendment to the Bill yesterday. This Bill has been a momentous journey for me. I came to this debate with an open mind. I was not and am not part of any campaign, pro-life or pro-choice. From the outset, my sole concern has been to ensure that any changes are in the best interests of expectant mothers and their...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: You are the Cathaoirleach. I am looking for you to be fair and impartial.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is a total disregard for women.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is a total disregard for women.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 Jul 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: To be fair, I felt I got a raw deal here today. However, I will withdraw the comment but I would like you to think about what I said, a Chathaoirligh.