Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their submissions this morning. I have one question. Several submissions have indicated a concern that the introduction of legislation in this area might lead to a more widespread availability of abortion, with particular reference to the position in England. Is that not unfounded given that we operate on the basis of a written Constitution and that the test being suggested here is one of the probability of a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother, as against the test in England which relates to the threat to the health of the mother? In those circumstances is the concern about a more liberal regime not unfounded?