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

It is important to record again that there is no view among our number or among those who came before us that abortion is a treatment for suicidal tendencies. Some with a particular view in this debate suggest that others with a different view may hold that view and that is not the case. There is no currency for the notion that abortion is a treatment for suicidal tendencies.

A woman may not have had a history of mental health issues but she, and indeed any man, presenting who is suicidal or has suicidal tendencies has mental health issues at that time. One cannot separate the reality of a situation for a person, male or female, who is suicidal or has suicidal ideation from the need for mental health treatment. That is absolutely the case. That requires best practice and address across the board. I have every confidence that the front-line service providers are doing, and will do, everything they can to give every support possible. It would be remiss of me not to add how well they are doing despite being under-resourced and under-staffed across all these areas of mental health service provision. That is another day's work. We have raised it here on many occasions and will no doubt continue to do so.

My understanding of section 9 has always been that we are obliged to address this issue as a result of the decision in the X case. It has been confirmed to us by the most eminent, informed, experienced voices in psychiatry, including peri-natal psychiatrists in this land that while it might not have been their direct experience they know that over a period of years a small number of such cases have presented. In those situations and knowing the fact that such situations can and do arise we cannot as legislators blinker ourselves to that fact. We are obliged, and it is our duty and responsibility, to face up to those situations that can and do present. We all wish they would never arise and that the incidence of it would be zero at all times but it will not be because all too sadly there will be situations that will present. This was affirmed in the course of the hearings that presumably all of us attended over the past few months.

As a member of the Opposition and health spokesperson I support the inclusion of section 9 in this Bill because, while I wish it was not necessary, I believe that all the evidence shows that it is required to protect that small number of women who will present and need that support, and for whom the clinicians and consultants who will be entrusted to provide for their care will need the clarity and certainty that this Bill can present.