Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In this debate, there is a danger of conveying the assumption that only one opinion is right. It is not true. We must stick to the facts. Sometimes, they are difficult to hear.

We can pride ourselves on the fact that the current practice in Ireland is a two-patient model of care whereby the expectant mother and the child are prioritised. I infer from Senator Walsh's amendment that this is what he meant. I understand that "current medical practice" never sits still - it is always evolving through evidence and improvement. However, we cannot underestimate the importance of emphasising the two-patient model. Doing well under that model is more difficult than under a one-patient model.

At the weekend, I spoke with an OB-GYN practising in Galway city. She used the example of a pregnant mother who had cancer and an emergency situation that might arise under sections 7 or 8. She stated that, under the two-patient model, one knew to give chemo at between 15 and 35 weeks, the safe period for the expectant mother. She also stated that one knew how to shield the baby in the womb from radiotherapy. This is real care.

Also at the weekend, I spoke with a woman who stated that she had Hodgkin's disease 12 years ago. She was pregnant at the time. One gynaecologist told the other person beside her that it would have been better to "get rid of that", meaning the unborn baby. The expectant mother refused and the child is now a fine, healthy 12 year old.

I am sure that the Minister will agree on the importance of continuing to prioritise the two-patient model. I suggest to Senator Walsh that, instead of the phrase "current medical practice", he should have used "two-patient model of health care", under which all efforts are made to save both lives. Let us not forget that, for quite some time, we have ranked in the top five in the developed world in terms of maternal health care. For some of that time, we were No. 1. I see no reason to move away from the current model. Will the Minister address this point? Does he agree that this country is safe continuing with the two-patient model of health care in all circumstances so that both lives can be prioritised?

As regards sections 7 and 8, I accept fully that, where there is evidence that the mother's life is at risk for a medical reason, the child's life may be lost, but it would not have been the intention of the procedure. The Minister knows my opinions on section 9. There is no evidence to move, but we are unfortunately deciding that there is under this section. I look forward to the Minister's reply.