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

I wish to revert briefly to the amendments I have tabled on behalf of my party in this grouping, namely, amendments Nos. 34 and 54. There was a strong and consistent case made in the course of the hearings on the heads of the Bill by a number of voices urging the amalgamation of the respective heads of the Bill pertaining to a risk to the life of the woman where a physical illness presents and a risk to the life of the woman where a threat of suicide is established as being real and substantial. It is important to reflect this and these amendments do so. Considerable urgings were made to amalgamate the respective heads along the lines the amendments, as presented, support. That said, I understand well the Minister's explanation and, in the context of this legislation, how could any member not?

I also note that on the passage of the Minister's amendment No. 32, amendments Nos. 34 and 54 will fall and, consequently, there will not be an opportunity to press or test them. However, for those who appeared before the committee and who argued a strong and consistent view across a number of professions and disciplines, both medical and legal, it is important that their views are reflected and taken into account in the overall consideration of the Bill at this Stage. As I have no doubt regarding the outcome of the sub-committee's discussions on this matter, I simply wish to record this observation at this point, while recognising these amendments will not proceed.