Ms Ciara Staunton:

On the point raised by Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, as Ms Schweppe said we cannot guarantee that floodgates will not be opened. However, what we can guarantee is that if the legislation is drafted correctly in accordance with the X judgment, reflecting Article 40.3.30, the floodgates should not be opened. The risk of suicide which arises from the pregnancy is the only occasion when a lawful abortion is permitted. To suggest that women will be giving an excuse is insulting not only to pregnant women but also to the medical profession. It suggests that they are unable to distinguish between a person giving an excuse and a woman who is suicidal. While we cannot guarantee it, I would be very surprised. We are not dealing with abortion on demand; we are dealing with a very narrow set of facts under which abortion is lawful in this jurisdiction.