Dr. Berry Kiely:

In other words, this legislation is proposed to deal with something more than what currently is being done. That is my point. Members are being asked to widen what is current medical practice. They are being put in a position in which they are now being asked to allow for more. As to whether it is a little more, a medium amount more or a lot more, I do not know. I have no doubt but that members will do their best to make it as restrictive as possible. Nonetheless, however, it clearly will be more than what is there at present and will be more than what is actually needed. Of itself, that already would be an opening of the door. It may be a very small and tight chink but one should consider what has been the experience of any country around the world once there has been such an opening. Basically, what members are being asked to do is to lessen the value that is given to the life of the unborn. Once one states that because this member of the human race is unborn, it does not count for that much, then one is opening the gates. Apart from anything else, to be honest and utterly simplistic, why have the pro-choice groups been advocating for this measure if it was going to make no change whatsoever?