I move amendment No. 1:
In page 4, subsection (1), line 2, to delete "forty-two" and substitute "sixty".
I do not seek an extension of the period for trivial reasons. Birth is a major event in a woman's life and in normal circumstances the impact of that experience continues for some time. That is recognised internationally, even in legislation on infanticide. The Church also recognises that period after birth. In cases of stillbirth we should be particularly sensitive to the fact that women need a certain time to recover from the physical experience and to come to terms with the fact that the child is dead.
A considerable length of time may be involved in that process and I am a little concerned that the provision of 42 days would limit the opportunity for parents to come to terms with the stillbirth and take the step of registering it. While registration will occur anyway, the fact that parents take that step themselves is significant in the process of coming to terms with their grief. Considering that a three month period is provided for, if necessary, the extension of the 42 days to 60 days would not interfere with the process. Perhaps the Minister would allow for that slightly longer period to accommodate parents in their grief.