Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

What we know is that up until now the criminalisation of certain medical practices meant there was a chill factor. Frankly, the very draconian 14-year prison sentence could still act as a chill factor which could compromise medical objectivity when making decisions in these difficult circumstances. I do not accept the Minister’s assurances on this. He does not acknowledge that time delay can be a factor. It was a factor in the Savita Halappanavar case. I do not know why the Minister finds it amusing but it was. Against that background, it is entirely right and appropriate to give assurance to women. After Savita’s case, women would be justified in being fearful as to whether they would get appropriate treatment if their life were at risk. These amendments will provide assurance to women and legal underpinning to the necessity to move quickly in such situations. I accept the majority of doctors would respond quickly but delays could occur. I cannot see what basis the Minister has for refusing these provisions. It cannot do any harm and it might do some good.