Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Everyone here knows my view on abortion and termination of pregnancies. I am quite public that I am very pro-choice. I have met the women who experienced pregnancies involving fatal foetal abnormalities. I am very committed to seeing the law extended to women who find themselves pregnant from rape or incest and, indeed, for other reasons. I have always held the view that it is a woman's right to choose. Listening to the debate, I respect what everybody is saying and respect their viewpoints and concerns about women and fatal foetal abnormality, miscarriage and other issues which have been raised.

The Ministers have said they have taken the advice of the Attorney General on the whole issue. Everything I have been reading and listening to over the past six to nine months suggests that the legislation will deal only with the Supreme Court judgment in the X case. It cannot include anything else, including the unfortunate women who have experience of fatal foetal abnormalities and the unfortunate women pregnant as a result of rape or incest or any other idea. No matter how often members of the committee ask the Minister these questions, they must take their advice from the Attorney General. That is not the past or any potential Attorney General, it is the person who is the Attorney General now.

I will campaign for a referendum to remove Article 40.3.3° from the Constitution. I do not see this as the end of the road. We are on the second round of amendments and Ministers have made clear their advice from the Attorney General. They cannot extend the legislation to include anything else. It is very regrettable but we must go with the legal advice we have. Chairman, I think we should really move on.