Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 7, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following:"(iv) facilities for the intensive care of newborns,".

This amendment concerns in-patient services provided under the direction of medical practitioners. I want to ensure that the services would include facilities for the intensive care of newborns. Senator Burke raised the viability of the foetus after abortions or inducements, accepting that every effort will be made to save the life of the baby. When we come to section 9 we will explore that a little further. Let us accept that for the purpose of this amendment. Some of those babies will be seriously damaged because of the abortion process. Many will be dead. The least we will need as some precautionary measure to mitigate the numbers that will be brain-damaged or affected in the future, is a proper intensive care unit specifically staffed with experts in the field of dealing with newborn emergencies. That is a reasonable amendment and it should have been included in the Bill.