Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae has been criticised by the campaign and support group "Termination for Medical Reasons" for Dail comments described as "very upsetting and distressing for parents to hear".

Healy-Rae spoke in the Dail on Wednesday night during the debate on the bill to have a referendum to repeal the 8th amendment to the constitution. He criticised the sympathy Health Minister Simon Harris had shown towards parents who had returned to Ireland after a medical procedure in the case of fatal foetal abnormalities, asking "where the love was" for the children.

Jennifer Ryan, director of the campaign and support group Termination for Medical Reasons (TFMR), told The Last Word that it was "very upsetting and distressing for parents to hear that from an elected official."

Jennifer had to travel to Liverpool for a termination after her unborn daughter was diagnosed with a fatal foetal abnormality. It was a very difficult decision "made out of love", and she was particularly upset by the implication that parents in such situations didn't want or love their children.

Jennifer also says there are many parents supported by the organisation who opted to stay in Ireland and continue with their pregnancies, and that ultimately it is down to choice.

"We're all bereaved parents. It's just so that parents have a choice if they get a diagnosis that they can continue or not, but they can stay in Ireland to do that."