Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This panel has given us a reality check. However welcome and overdue the legislation we are debating, it will clearly not meet the needs of the majority of women travelling for abortion every year. I agree with Ms Ailbhe Smyth that the change in culture has already occurred. Introducing legislation for the X case will not change the culture. The legal position will remain the same. We are simply making accessible and effective a legal procedure that is already available in theory through the Constitution and the Supreme Court decision in the X case. The political culture in terms of public opinion has clearly changed as opinion polls show.

I am glad it was pointed out that decriminalisation could be achieved through repealing sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act. Such a move would reduce the stigma for women as well as reducing the effect for doctors. Is amendment sufficient or would it have to be repealed entirely?

The panel is aware that independent legal experts and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties suggested legislation on the X case could, within the terms of the Constitution, cover fatal foetal abnormalities. Does the panel agree with that?