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 Kate O'ConnellKate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair. We are back to the wording and the previous discussion. I am concerned about the use of the words "aid, abet, counsel or procure" in section 5(4). The use of the words "aid" and "abet" is alarming. I may be incorrect but my interpretation is that someone who counsels a pregnant woman and recommends a termination in a conversation could be given a 14 year jail sentence for trying to get somebody to have an abortion, even when the woman does not take that advice and a termination does not take place. I would like to have that clarified.

We are back to the language of criminalising and negativity, which is to approach the issue from the wrong angle. The use of the term "procure a pregnant woman" is not ideal. We need to work on the language to ensure it is fit for purpose. I have an issue with terms such as aiding and abetting and counselling and the 14 year sentence provided. We do not want women to be terrorised into silence. We want this to be about access and women. I am uncomfortable with the language used here and if we got rid of it, as per my amendment, the section would be more palatable.

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