Professor William Binchy:

Staying real, I think I am correct in saying that in so far as one can actually assess these matters - one has to be tentative about the empirical evidence here - there is strong evidence that the abortion rate of those Irish people who have abortions outside the country is actually lower than England, for example, by a considerable multiple. However, that does not matter for the purposes of Deputy Daly's argument. Are abortions taking place abroad? Yes, they are taking place, manifestly, if we stay real. Are there any proposals to introduce limitations in that area? No, is the short answer.

Sociologically, the Deputy is right in what she says and I am sure she is right also in saying that there are disparities in certain circumstances, which by no means explain the entire phenomenon between rich and poor. Her point is an entirely correct one. If the protection of the right to life of the unborn child is not important, then that point has huge validity. If it is important, however, the distinction that the Deputy identified would not be a reason for actually introducing a facility in this country for taking the life of the unborn.