Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the tabler on behalf of Sinn Féin of amendment No. 34, I wish to speak to this. The amendment seeks to place the requirements in relation to medical practitioners vis-à-vis section 9 on a similar basis to that applying in section 7 - that is, two medical practitioners. The view behind the proposition is that the requirement for three medical practitioners in section 9 is unnecessary and unworkable and will of itself be a discouragement to presenting in the normal course within the Irish hospital system. This will add to the sad and continuing exodus of many thousands of Irish women for terminations outside this jurisdiction. It is believed that reducing the number from three to two will ensure there is parity between physical and mental illness, a matter my colleagues feel strongly needs to be affirmed. For too long, a distinction has been made with regard to mental health as against physical health and the argument is that there should be equal respect and understanding of the situations that apply and of the qualifications and professional capacity of the respective practitioners to make appropriate diagnoses where women present in each of these situations. The proposition is, in summary, to reduce the requirement from three to two practitioners where the woman's life is at risk as a result of a threat of suicide. Accordingly, I put the proposal to the Minister and the members.