Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent) | Oireachtas source

With regard to viability and term limits, the Minister mentioned 24 weeks. That is where I have a problem. There is no term limit referred to in the Bill. I have a friend, to whom I can introduce the Minister, who is just graduating from Trinity College, Dublin. She was born at 23 weeks, but the Minister, who is a doctor, mentioned 24 weeks. We must go back to that. I acknowledge that we are leaving it to the medical profession, but I want to know when a person has a right to realise his or her potential and be born. Does one get terminated at 22 weeks or 24 weeks?

While I was very pleased to hear the Minister say that everything will be done to support the baby that is born viable, why did the Government promote the Bill without putting a national paediatric budget in place to care for babies who will be born due to the restrictions imposed by the Bill? There is no paediatric budget to look after babies with life-limiting conditions or multiple disabilities. While the LauraLynn Foundation and Sunshine Home exist, having been established by a woman who lost two children to cancer, there is no State provision to look after babies who may be born, particularly when their mothers do not want them. Even if the mother does want the baby, there is nothing to provide for his or her care.