A fatal foetal abnormality amendment is being proposed to the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Act, by Independent TD Clare Daly.

The Bill was debated in the Dáil today, ahead of a vote next Tuesday.

People Before Profit/United Left Alliance TD Richard Boyd Barrett spoke to Jonathan Healy today about his own personal experience with fatal foetal abnormality.

Thirteen years ago, Richard and his partner were about to have a daughter. They discovered very late that she had a condition that was incompatible with life and she couldn't survive.

Richard and his wife consulted many doctors, hoping that the diagnosis was wrong: "All the issues about abortion generally and constitutional prohibitions simply don't apply because it is not possible to protect a life if that life is incompatible with life."

He admitted that it was difficult to talk about the issue but that he stated that other families are going through intolerable circumstances: "Whatever needs to be done, should be done."

He commended the families who have opened up about the issue: "It's a family tragedy.

"I have to commend the families that first spoke out. This is something that we first talked about ourselves, with family and friends.

"We went through this situation ourselves.

"The Government now know that these tragedies are happening all the time. This week, they will happen to couples who are hoping to have healthy babies.

"I just don't see how any Government can stand over a situation where they will compound an already tragic situation and inflict needless cruelty on parents who have had the worst possible news."