Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 10 January 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children

Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland

10:00 am

Photo of Ciara ConwayCiara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the speakers for their contribution to the debate this morning. We have seen in the past that theology has the capacity to evolve with increased knowledge. The Catholic Church, in particular, has made allowance for natural methods of family planning and Catholics are allowed to prevent life in this way. It takes a nuanced approach to the use of a condom or a woman taking a pill to prevent life. We can also take a nuanced approach on divorce versus annulment. However, a rose by any other name is still a rose. If women and men are truly equal in this country, why are women entitled to less medical care?

Are Irish women somehow assumed to be more manipulative and somehow seen to be lying in regard to pretending to be suicidal when they so need the medical intervention and care? I would be very interested to know what people's approach is to that. We know that theology has evolved over very many years. Why do we now find ourselves not able to deal with the question in front of us?

With regard to the submission from the conference of bishops, the Supreme Court judgment was based on the presumption that abortion would be a helpful treatment for suicidal thoughts and feelings. As we heard yesterday from very eminent witnesses, the Supreme Court presented its judgment based on the case before it. I would like the witnesses to respond to that point in their submission.

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