Imelda Henry (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank the Chairman for the way he has chaired the hearings in such a calm and fair manner. I also thank all the witnesses that came before the committee, members, non-members and the staff.

We heard many expert witnesses in their professional capacities, with conflicting views, and at times personal views. The debate became intense at times and I have the utmost respect for people and their views. For me this debate is about women, pregnant women. The reality is no one knows more about pregnancy than women themselves. I do not want to insult any of my male colleagues and I know men play their part but they do not become pregnant. I agree with Deputy Catherine Byrne that there were times I found the debate here offensive.

As a woman, a mother and the mother of a teenager, I support this legislation for the X case. I know personally it is not always possible to save both mother and baby. I believe we must protect our doctors in the rare event that the mother's life is at risk and a termination is required. Where a woman with serious heart disease is pregnant and needs a termination to save her life, I would like to think she could have the termination in this country and would be able to avoid the distress of travelling.

As I asked in January, what about the parents who have a 14 year old daughter who was raped and made pregnant and may be suicidal? Parents along with that daughter must make a decision. I know not all but most parents would do one thing. I have concerns for children in care who are in that position and that position must be clarified.

There must be some changes to the Bill and I look forward to further debate as the Bill goes through the Houses. I am proud to be part of the Fine Gael parliamentary party and I am proud of the Taoiseach, the Minister for Health and the Government for bringing forward this Bill to protect women in the future during pregnancy and for saving lives, not killing babies, saving women's lives.