Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am speaking on amendment No. 16, which concerns the risk of loss of life from suicide. At the risk of being interrupted, I will do my best to formulate thoughts which have been put to me by people in the medical profession. In the case of suicide, according to this legislation, where there is a real and substantive risk to the life of the mother, it is deemed that to save the life of the mother the baby's life must be taken. This includes the threat of suicide. What is the legal status of the unborn in this case? The expectant mother is not looking for a live baby at the end of this procedure. The State is making a commitment that it will deliver a live baby where possible. We have a terrible record of State care. It is a surreal scenario. I ask the Minister of State if there is anywhere else in the world where it happens that a mother believes her pregnancy is the reason her life is at risk from suicide, and therefore she is seeking a termination of that life, but the State decides to deliver the baby alive.

Where else in the world does this happen? What is the status of any such baby and to whom does he or she belong? What surname will the baby be given? I accept completely that we are talking about women in a distressed condition, women who are perhaps mentally unwell and might even be in a psychosis. My concern, however, is that a month later, the mother will recover and her first question will be about her baby and where he or she is. Dr. Jacqueline Montwell made that point very clearly during the committee hearings. A woman in those circumstances might want the baby, or she might say she never wanted a live baby. In the latter case the baby will be placed in State care, which could have a further negative impact on the mother's mental health. I hope the Minister of State will answer the important points I have raised.