Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Bill is long overdue. There are very few Bills which are as long overdue as this one and I commend the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste for having the courage to bring it forward. Consecutive Governments, although bound by a Supreme Court ruling, chose to ignore the plight of thousands of Irish women. I extend my sympathy to Savita Halappanavar's friends and family and all the families of women who lost their lives in pregnancy owing to a termination not being available. There may be people whose names are not known. Some of those who lobbied me to vote against the Bill claimed they had no problem with Irish women having abortions, once it happened on English soil.

I recognise this is a difficult issue for many, particularly those women who feel the State has let them down during the years. Up to 5,000 women every year find themselves making the lonely journey to England to access abortions. I met some of them in England when I lived there. At home, those in the corridors of powers chose, at best, to ignore them and, at worst, criminalise them. These are ordinary women - our daughters, wives, neighbours, partners, sisters - all forced to travel like criminals to England and return to live a lie as if it never happened. The State was cold and a very unsupportive place for women and we must change this.

In this House, if we aspire to build a republic on this island, as I do, we must deal with these matters here and not export them as problems to be dealt with elsewhere. In other words, we must cut out the hypocrisy. Since the X case much has changed. Some would say all has changed. We have seen the decriminalisation of homosexuality, contraception become freely available; divorce is now legal and rights for children are now enshrined in the Constitution. The world has not collapsed or turned upside down. These were major steps forward and they have led to a more equal, tolerant, inclusive and mature society.

The current debate has been much more mature and understanding than previous debates about abortion. I take on board what the previous speaker said about some small groups, but the debate has been more mature than other attempts. This is because we have, as a society, become more progressive on these other issues. Opinion polls continue to highlight that the majority of people now believe the circumstances in which a pregnant woman and her doctor find themselves are not simply black and white. We must ensure women become pregnant in a safe, consensual environment, receive the best health treatment throughout their pregnancy and that after the birth, women and children receive the full complement of financial and medical supports. No woman must feel her pregnancy undermines her financial well-being or that her child will grow up in poverty. Women must feel secure in the knowledge that whatever choices have to be made during pregnancy, they do not have to be dictated by lack of finance or support.

For far too long our social policy was dictated by the crozier rather than the Legislature. This was unhealthy and led to bad decisions being made. The Taoiseach's recent statement on this issue was very welcome. Unfortunately, some in the so-called pro-life campaign feel obliged to use old arguments in a present day context. We live in a very different Ireland than that of 1983 when a crude attempt to control women led to an amendment to the Constitution that has straight-jacketed medical practice and views on abortion for 30 years.

I consider myself to be pro-life. In fact, I am very pro-life, but I believe people have a right to make choices in a supportive and tolerant society. Sometimes that decision is about the termination of pregnancy. Sinn Féin believes terminations should be allowed if the woman is the victim of rape or incest, or if her life or health is in grave danger. The Bill does not go as far as our policy, but it is a significant step in the right direction. I hope that when it is passed, it will allow us, as a society, space to debate the issue of abortion in a calmer, more holistic way.

Since the Supreme Court judgment, this House has been under an obligation to introduce the Bill as an absolute minimum. There has been some debate and pressure has been brought to bear on political parties to allow a so-called free vote on the Bill. Each party will make up its own mind on this issue. Sinn Féin debated the issue of a free vote, not at one but two Ard-Fheiseanna. On both occasions a motion was put to the membership calling for Deputies to have a free vote. Our membership debated the motions and on both occasions voted overwhelmingly not to allow a free vote. In doing so it believed, rightly, that ours was a political party bound by policy. Ours is a political party with agreed aims, objectives and policy. It is not like other parties that speak out of both sides of their mouths on this important issue. Our policy on the issues contained in the Bill has not changed in 20 years. That is not because we are stubborn, but after the X case, we debated the matter at length and our Deputies are bound to vote in line with that policy. That is the democratic will of our members. Our candidates have stood before the people in every election since 1992. We have been crystal clear on this issue; we have always pledged our support for legislation in line with the X case judgment.

On close examination of the Bill Sinn Féin has decided to support it. Despite some minor shortcomings, it is a progressive step. Like many others, I have concerns about some of its detail. One issue that does need to be addressed and which the Bill fails to address is that of fatal foetal abnormalities. We need to show compassion and understanding to women who discover that, in fact, their pregnancy will not end in the birth of a bright beautiful baby, but that, sadly, their babies will not survive. That is heartbreaking by any standard and this reality will not be wished away. We must not avoid it for another 20 years. This is the time to address this tragic issue. We must give it careful and compassionate consideration.

Criminalising women who travel to have terminations must be confined to history. If we are to build a proper, tolerant republic, we must do this. We cannot export our problems, or issues such as this which are not problems. We need to deal with them here.

Sinn Féin Deputies will support the Bill and on Committee Stage will address some of the finer detail to ensure it comes into line with our policy.

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