James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for my absence during the statements here last week. I am the Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Future of Mental Health Care and I had to attend a meeting of the committee.

Having heard and carefully considered the expert evidence before the committee, I shall vote against an inclusion of the words "repeal simpliciter". I call for a referendum to be held, as soon as reasonably practicable, to replace the eighth amendment in the Constitution and allow for terminations in the following cases: the real and substantial physical risk to the life of the woman; the real and substantial risk to the life of the woman by suicide; the serious risk to the physical health of the woman; the mental health of the woman; the health of the woman; pregnancy as a result of rape; and if the unborn child has a fatal foetal abnormality that is likely to result in death before or shortly after birth. Also, the referendum or legislation should include the following caveat - if it was passed at a referendum, any such legislation would be passed within six months by the Dáil so that there are no delays.

Finally, I believe, irrespective of what happens, that there should be decriminalisation of women who obtain a termination whether it is illegal or not.