Dear Editor,
The Eighth Amendment is Ireland’s life equality provision which protects the lives of mothers and babies in pregnancy. The Catholic Nurses Guild of Ireland resolved unanimously at its Annual General Meeting in May to support the retention of the Eighth Amendment.
The Ethical Guidelines of the Catholic Nurses Guild of Ireland (8) states: “As healthcare professionals we recognise and commit ourselves to the respect due to the dignity and intrinsic worth of every human being from conception to death.” It follows therefore, that any law which might require the intentional termination of human life either before or after birth even if legal; would not be in accord with the ethical practice of medicine. Further the right to life is sacrosanct irrespective of ability or disability.
We support the continued development of holistic care for babies with life limiting conditions and their parents.
We appeal to our nursing and midwifery colleagues and all healthcare professionals to support the retention of the Eighth Amendment in order to ensure the highest standard of care for mothers and babies in Ireland.
Yours etc.,
Sr Bridge Commins,
National President,
Catholic Nurses Guild,
Merrion Square,
Dublin 2.