Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The final line of that letter stated, "Mr. President, in drawing attention to the capacity of the human fetus to feel pain, you stand on firmly established ground". I refer to President Reagan's comment, "When the lives of the unborn are snuffed out they often feel pain, pain that is long and agonizing". What has changed since 1984? In 2012 the sub-committee on the Constitution, the US House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on this issue. Colleen Malloy is an assistant professor of neonatology at the department of paediatrics, Northwestern University school of medicine. She stated that there is ample biological physiological hormonal and behavioural evidence for foetal and neonatal pain. Professor Malloy told the committee that by 20 weeks post-fertilisation, or 22 weeks LNP, the foetal brain has the full complement of neurons present in adulthood. When questioned she confirmed that the ability of the foetus to feel pain was the majority view of those in the field. It has been suggested that an Irish report shows that this view is rubbish, even though this view is held all over the world, including in Britain. Speakers can quote from such reports. Senator Fidelma Healy Eames has researched this topic. She has drawn the attention of the House to this issue, for which I compliment her. I was not aware of this topic until this amendment was tabled. She and Senator Mary Ann O'Brien should be applauded for bringing forward a compassionate amendment which tries to ensure that if a child is to be aborted, gruesome and barbaric as that it, that at least the pain is minimised during the process. How can anyone argue with that? The only reason for not accepting this amendment would be if a scientific report - an Irish report would be acceptable - shows clearly that foetal pain does not exist. I do not believe such a report exists but perhaps the Minister of State can prove the contrary.