Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The crux of the matter is, women who have an abortion, even for a possible fatal foetal abnormality, face a health risk in future pregnancies. There is a proven increased risk of "stillbirths, premature births, low birth-weight of future children, cerebral palsy and maternal deaths." I urge all Senators to read the report.

I am not a medical expert, nor do I claim to be. Before voting on an amendment it is important for Members to educate themselves about best medical practice for all of these issues. According to the research that I quoted, the best medical practice clearly shows, apart from the moral issues, that this series of amendments do not make medical sense.

I have met many women and families on both sides of the argument and I have met the groups that were referred to earlier. Questions have been asked such as when is a life less of a life, is it after birth at five seconds or five days, etc. It is important to realise when human life exists. I believe, and where I come from, human life exists from conception to natural death. Therefore, I cannot support an amendment where human life would be destroyed in the womb simply because the unborn child is disabled. It sends a very wrong message about the protection and rights of children who are disabled. It would also impose a culture or perception-----