Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want an answer to the questions I put to the Minister on the issue of pain. We are all human beings in this House. We understand pain. I have put the evidence on the record. There is evidence that the foetus feels pain from 17 weeks onwards. It is unbelievable that they do not feel pain before that, but that is the science I am bringing to the Minister.

I ask the Minister to answer these questions directly. Will an anaesthetist be present at the termination with the obstetrician? Will an anaesthetic be administered so the foetus does not feel pain during the termination? Surely it is fine for us not to be cruel to a little defenceless mite who has no say or choice in this. I know, to be fair to the woman who is in great difficulty, that she would not want that little mite to feel pain either. Can the Minister tell us whether a pain-free procedure will be administered in Ireland? Will an anaesthetic for pain-free termination or abortion be administered? Please answer that question.