Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is an important distinction. From the evidence presented during the hearings and having regard to the rapidity with which a woman's health can deteriorate in a situation such as has been set out, what may well not be a serious risk at a particular time may be a progressive risk, with its progress rapid, so that by the time the risk is determined as being serious and action is taken - if it is presumed that the seriousness of the risk will determine at all times what happens - it may be too late to save either mother or baby.

We have had this debate and I respect the point made by my colleague, but it is important that we remember something. If we recall the evidence that we heard, cases were referred to in which there was a rapid decline in the health of the mother. Either that rapid decline was not spotted in time or, if it was, it was impossible to do anything about it because it happened so quickly that no difference could be made.

In the interests of the health and safety of the woman and, for that matter, the child, it is better that action be taken earlier rather than later. That is the evidence that was adduced in the Citizens' Assembly's hearings and at this committee. That is the best medical evidence. In order to ensure that we do not have equivocation, we need to attach to the motion the most serious element that can happen in a particular case.

We should be conscious of the points raised by Deputy O'Connell regarding medical conditions and the degree to which a woman's condition and, consequently, that of the baby yet to be born can deteriorate.