Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am only speaking on amendment No. 38(d), my amendment on delivering a pain-free ending to the baby. That is the only one I am speaking on. I am happier with what the Minister said in his reply. I will read the regulations over the weekend. None of my Fine Gael colleagues would want an unborn baby to feel pain as life is ended. No colleague would. I am giving the Minister and his officials time to ensure we do not have to use the Whip to whip good people to legislate for a cruel practice whereby a little mite - an unborn baby - has its life ended in pain. The Minister is not a cruel Minister. Equally, let us not ask people to legislate for a cruel practice. The ending of life is enough.

I spoke at the weekend to a gynaecologist who started working in Galway city after having practised in the UK. Now, when one is interviewed for a post in the UK, the first question one is asked is "Are you a terminator?". She just told me this.