Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Select Committee on Health

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage

11:00 am

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

These amendments relate to the broadening of the definition of a medical practitioner who may participate in the provision of abortion services. We are calling for it to be expanded to other professionals within the health system. Such a practice is not unusual. The point is that we are innovating and bringing in legislation that should be state-of-the-art and up to date. For example, in France and other countries, midwives participate in abortions. Scientific research has proven that one does not need a doctor in order to have an abortion. Some ten people a day leave the country to procure an abortion but up to five others use abortion pills obtained through telemedicine sites. We have heard testimony in that regard and I will not repeat the points that were made. It is important because we need to emphasise that abortion is one of the simplest medical procedures. Those who oppose it make out that that is not the case. However, as members are aware, the majority of abortions take place in the first trimester. Research has proven that abortions carried out using an abortion pill obtained through a telemedicine site and supervised by a doctor are as safe as other types of abortion even though the woman is not directly examined by a doctor. The WHO has given its backing to that view. That is important because we are bringing in legislation which is introducing levels of barriers and bureaucracy that may not be needed. Some members who have spoken to the amendment are opposed to this aspect being broadened because they want to make out that abortion is harrowing and very complex. However, all those who study these matters know that having an abortion is safer than having a baby. It would be preferable for the Bill to be in line with what has been scientifically proven, which is that a competent midwife or other health practitioner should be permitted to perform abortions. The five people in Ireland who will take an abortion pill in their bedrooms today will be carrying out a DIY abortion with advice from a doctor based in the Netherlands or another part of the world. We do not need to over-complicate this. Of course, we agree that the procedure should be carried out under the auspices of our health service. Everybody should be able to go to their own doctor but that does not mean that a doctor must be present for the abortion. I have often gone to a doctor's surgery and been seen by a nurse. We should recognise that that is best practice worldwide.

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