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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Safe Births Ireland case

Summary

Deputy McGrath raised the death of Luke Duffy at Portlaoise hospital and broader concerns about full-term stillbirths, citing Safe Births Ireland. The Minister expressed sympathy and said he would review the correspondence and revert.

October 29, 2018, which should have been a joyous day for Lisa and Mel Duffy, turned into an absolute nightmare when their son, Luke, died while being born at Portlaoise hospital. While Luke's death was absolutely tragic, what is even more tragic is that it should never have happened. Three days earlier, Lisa Duffy asked, begged and pleaded with physicians and doctors to induce Luke. This is a terrible situation. Unfortunately, Lisa Duffy is not the only woman with such an issue. Many other women have lost babies at full gestation. A group called Safe Births Ireland is pleading with the Minister. It has corresponded with him and received inadequate responses. Its representatives are being fobbed off and dismissed, which is all the more insulting after they have lost precious children. They are being fobbed off. Will the Minister commit to meeting the ladies of the representative group Safe Births Ireland? It is an emotive, important and sad issue.

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I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I share his sentiments in respect of these awful situations where parents have lost babies. I am unaware of the correspondence from Safe Births Ireland but I would be happy to look at it and revert to the Deputy.

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