Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator O'Brien's call for us not to have a debate in this House on the protection of life during pregnancy Bill until after the health committee has concluded its proceedings. This is in line with what Senator Ó Murchú has just said. We are all pro-life and I agree with much of what he has just said. This is a complex and sensitive issue and we need to stay calm. None of us wants to cause division. The issue is about the life of the mother and of the unborn baby. Nobody wants to kill any unborn babies. We must be conscious of the fact that abortion is prohibited in Ireland and no change is envisaged in that regard. No change in the abortion law is proposed. We are all concerned about the issue of suicide and that is why we should wait for the conclusions of the health committee. However, it is necessary that we have legal clarity for medical practitioners on where medically necessary terminations are permissible. Of course we must work to save both lives, but the life of the unborn baby is dependent on the life of the mother. I would never wish to be in a situation in which I would have to make a decision, but we must provide that legal clarity. We may not like doing so, but we must face up to the issue. We must remember that what is being proposed is within the parameters of the Constitution. There is no constitutional change proposed and there is no change in the law. Let us continue to be calm and undivided and await the committee's findings. I agree with Senator O'Brien that we should not have a debate on the matter until after the health committee's proceedings.