A Co Wexford mother whose unborn child died after she was involved in a road crash said TDs have committed to publishing a draft of 'Jax's Law' by the end of this month.
Saoirse Aylward last week spoke about her frustration and deep sorrow that her unborn son Jax could not be recognised as a separate victim in a road traffic collision under Irish law.
Yurii Dudek, with an address listed in Ukraine, was sentenced to six months in prison for careless driving causing serious bodily harm to Ms Aylward in 2024.
'Jax's Law' proposes that babies who die as a result of fatal road collisions during pregnancy are recognised in their own right within the justice system.
Speaking outside Leinster House, Ms Aylward said she had a "very productive" meeting with Fine Gael TDs Emer Currie and Barry Ward, who will work on the draft Bill.
Ms Aylward said the cross-party support she has received "makes clear- this is a road safety issue".
"It just proves this is a common-sense issue, and that everybody is behind it, supporting it," she said.
Ms Aylward said: "There's many women that aren't here today, sadly, to speak up for themselves."
She was joined by Colleen Langan, who said she lost her "dear" aunty Róisín on 28 December 2010, and her baby Catherine in a road traffic collision "caused by a drunk driver".
"Aunty Róisín was a beloved primary school teacher, and she was so excited to be a mother to her first child- baby Catherine.
"She was 26-weeks pregnant at the time of the collision and both her and her baby had their whole lives ahead of them," said Ms Langan.
Ms Langan said unborn children like Catherine and Jax who lost their lives due to road traffic collisions deserve "acknowledgment" and "recognition".
She said it is important that their lives "mattered".
"They too are victims of these tragic circumstances and should receive equal recognition for both their passing and their existence," she said.
She said Jax's Law would give families closure.
She thanked the founder of the PARC Road Safety Group, Susan Gray who brought them together.
"We never felt alone during this time," said Ms Langan.
