James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

These amendments proposed by Deputy Seamus Healy attempt to provide for a lawful termination of pregnancy following a diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality or inevitable miscarriage. I know several colleagues would have liked to see these and other grounds being included in the legislation. However, these provisions cannot be included. No one can fail but to have sympathy for women who find themselves in this situation. However, I have received legal advice to the effect that the inclusion of this issue as a separate consideration in the Bill would go beyond the scope of the A, B and C cases. The purpose of the Bill is not to confer new rights to a termination of pregnancy but to clarify existing rights. Some believe it would require a referendum and others believe otherwise. I have to take the advice available to me. For these reasons, I cannot accept Deputy Seamus Healy’s amendments and I urge the committee not to support them.