Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy O'Connell has encapsulated my views on the issue as well as her own. In bringing forward the legislation, I am very conscious that we are doing exactly what we said we would do. Deputy Tóibín is correct that from a legal point of view people voted to repeal the eighth amendment and insert the new wording in the Constitution. I have heard him say it many times. However, the people did so in the knowledge that if they voted "Yes" and the amendment was passed, the Government would bring forward the legislation outlined in the general scheme I published in March and updated in July. That resulted in the Bill I published in September.

I have tried at each stage not to deviate in any fundamental way from the heads of the Bill. It was to be - and, God almighty, we must have all said it countless times - a doctor-led service and it was to be about women and their doctors. I am purposely seeking a review clause in the legislation as a result of looking at other jurisdictions where legislators thought all they needed to do was pass a Bill and that they had dealt with the issue forever. For us to do that would be a dereliction of our duty. It is appropriate that we return to the issue and make sure the legislation continues to be in line with best international practice. That is what a review clause will accomplish.

I appreciate Deputy Coppinger's point about the safety of an abortion and about not needing a doctor. We see value in moving from a point where a woman, in the privacy of her home in a lonely situation, is ordering a pill online and taking it to one where a woman, like any citizen in this country, has the benefit of engagement with her doctor and can have all the information and facts presented to her and all of her care needs met.

On this occasion I am not in a position to accept the amendments. I am happy to further engage between now and Report Stage.