Sir, – Prof Keelin O’Donoghue’s powerful article on pregnancy loss reminds us how many women and their partners experience miscarriage and pregnancy loss in Ireland every year; yet how little attention is paid within society to this hugely traumatising human experience (“As a society, we still prefer to pretend pregnancy loss doesn’t happen”, Opinion & Analysis, June 1st). Prof O’Donoghue argues compellingly for ending the silence and inaction around what is sadly an all too common form of bereavement. Not only must this silence be addressed through the healthcare reforms she outlines, but also through changes in the workplace. Some years ago, Labour brought forward a Bill to provide paid leave to employees enduring early miscarriage or undergoing fertility treatment.
Our proposal received widespread cross-party support, and would have a significant impact in tackling the pervasive culture of stigma around pregnancy loss. We are now appealing to the Government to enact this new law without further delay – in the interests of ending the silence around miscarriage and pregnancy loss, and of creating a more humane and compassionate society. – Yours, etc,
IVANA BACIK TD,
Labour,
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Dáil Éireann,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.
