Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not believe the message from this committee should instil fear in women who are engaging with maternity services. We need to be careful how we choose our words in what is a sensitive issue for half the population.

Deputy Ó Cuív asked if there have been occasions where a doctor has had a conscientious objection to providing a termination when there is a real and substantial risk to the life of a mother. What he is failing to look at is that it may not be immediate or imminent. A woman could be presenting with the physical complication but it may not be immediate or imminent. Accordingly, the doctor in that case could conscientiously object. I hope that with the passing of this legislation, a doctor in such a case would then refer it to a colleague who would be able to do it in a timely way to save the mother’s life.