Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

We welcome the principles behind the Bill and we fully support it through its passage. I will not use the full 20 minutes. In welcoming the Bill, we acknowledge that it provides for the necessary advancements in the modernisation of how we deal with the beginning and the end of lives, times that are full of ecstasy and grief, in turn.

Aside from the obvious fact that the process of registering major life events online will ease stress for many when it comes to their loved ones, it is further welcome that the Bill will allow an interim death certificate to be issued to families in cases where a coroner's inquest has not been concluded. It is great that those who have campaigned for these changes have been listened to and that unnecessary stress will no longer be imposed on those grieving families if this Bill is passed.

Despite the progress the Department has pretty clearly made when listening to the advocates, there is always more work that can be done such as the changes proposed to the registration of infant stillbirths. This is an incredibly sensitive matter which represents tragedy and bereavement for thousands of families each year. The changes outlined in the Bill are welcome but signify only a start to addressing what has been up to this point a very clearly broken system. Under the legislation as it stands, only parents may view the details of infants on the stillbirth register. While I understand the reason for this being in place some years ago due to the intense personal nature of the matter, understanding of pregnancy and infant loss have developed much since then. Families directly affected by this issue are calling for a change.

The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland, Féileacáin, has carried out unparalleled work for years to have stillborn babies recognised in public records, most notably with the Remember Our Names campaign which calls for an immediate amendment to section 8 of the Stillbirths Registration Act 1994 to make the stillbirth register public. Pregnancy loss in the form of miscarriage or stillbirth occurs in up to a quarter of all pregnancies, having a devastating impact on parents, other children and family members. We must do all we can to support these families through what can be incredibly traumatic circumstances.

Advocates such as those in Féileacáin agree that this Bill represents progress. If passed, the Civil Registration (Electronic Registration) Bill will make it possible for registrations of stillbirths to be made online. Furthermore, the organisation approves of the change in the definition of stillbirths from 24 to 23 weeks and from 500 g to 400 g. However, I stress that these changes must be enacted as soon as possible. We must also ensure that these limits are not set in stone, as medical advances mean that earlier premature babies will survive and this should be reflected in the definition of stillbirth. Passing this Bill represents an opportunity for the Government to work in the best interests of parents and families, given new understanding based on research and public attitudes towards stillbirths. It is imperative that it acts upon that.

I wish to mention another valuable piece of advocacy work carried out by Féileacáin. Under social protection regulations, mothers of stillborn infants born after 24 weeks of pregnancy are eligible for maternity leave benefits. However, mothers who experience miscarriages or loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy receive no entitlements at all. This means that a mere few days can make a significant difference. Some mothers might get 26 weeks of maternity benefits, allowing them financial breathing room to grieve and heal while others might only get five days of statutory sick leave before having to return to work. This is a harrowing reality that faces many women every year. A Government report released this year recommended implementing statutory paid leave for pregnancy loss that occurs before 24 weeks.

We urgently need progress on this. In addition, medical advancements in the treatment of younger premature babies need to be reflected in legislation.

We have all heard the stories of people who made their way down to the civil registry office with their prams only to miss an appointment by ten minutes. The fact that this can now be done online makes everybody's situation a lot easier. We welcome the Bill in that regard.

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