The issue of peri-natal hospice care (care of mothers and babies where the unborn child has a life-shortening or limiting abnormality diagnosed in utero) was raised in the Seanad earlier this week following a briefing to politicians from a number of parents of children who either died shortly after birth or are living with a serious disability.
The briefing was co-hosted by Senators Rónán Mullen, Darragh O' Brien, Mary-Ann O'Brien and TDs Regina Doherty and Arthur Spring. It was attended by almost 60 members of the Dáil and Seanad. In a very moving and thought provoking session, the families present shared their personal experiences of the births and (sometimes short) lives of their children.
Following the briefing, during the Order of Business in the Seanad, several senators including Senator Mary-Ann O’Brien praised the courage of the parents who spoke. She said: “I wish everyone had been there this morning to hear how fragile life is and that we are here to respect human beings. There was great sadness but great dignity portrayed this morning by those wonderful parents.” Other senators called for a debate in the Seanad on the need for better peri-natal hospice care facilities in Ireland.
Congratulations to Senator Mullen and his Oireachtas colleagues for hosting such an important and extremely well attended briefing.
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