Legislation for fatal foetal anomaly in pregnancy must be revisited – Labour

Labour’s health spokesperson Marie Sherlock TD has called for action from Government to review termination of pregnancies where there is a diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality in Ireland.

Speaking during the Order of Business in the Dáil today, Deputy Sherlock said:

“Care is being denied in Ireland for women who receive the devastating diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality. The harrowing and moving testimony of Wexford woman Denise Whitmore today stopped the nation in its tracks as she described the appalling vista that women who receive such a diagnosis are facing.

“It is 8 years since we the Termination of Pregnancy legislation was enacted in 2018 and at every juncture the Government have dragged their heals with regard to making this legislation work for women.

“There was a delay on the promised three year review of the legislation and when it was eventually commissioned and completed in 2023, the Government have done nothing with the legislative changes identified by Marie O’ Shea on the 3 day wait or the 28 day timeframe for fatal feotal abnormalities. For women and their families, this is absolutely unacceptable.

“In particular, we need to see a more compassionate and workable approach to fatal foetal abnormalities. As it stands, the Act currently provides that a termination in the case of foetal abnormality can only be legally permissible if two medical practitioners form a reasonable option that the foetus will likely die before or within 28 days of birth.

“Women are being forced to travel abroad where care is denied in Ireland to terminate pregnancies of their much wanted and much loved child. This is not what people campaigned on and voted for in 2018.

“I am calling on Government to review the legislation and make good on the recommendations of the report carried out by Marie O’Shea and published in 2023. We need to ensure that there is access to care in Ireland, in the community, where a fatal foetal anomaly will lead to the death of a foetus.

“It is devastating that hundreds of pregnant women are still traveling to England in great distress, facing challenges bringing home the remains of their baby, and being failed by the health service in terms of follow up care.

“This weekend we celebrate International Women’s Day yet women in Ireland are still left fighting for access to crucial healthcare. Women are still travelling abroad for access to termination care, and crucial pieces of critical infrastructure like the Rotunda Maternity Hospital remain in limbo. Government must bring forward proposals to ensure that women’s healthcare can be delivered safely in Ireland.”