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

It is quite an important element of the subject matter under discussion. I do not have any absolute answers. It is an intricate medical and legislative subject. There is another issue we need to keep in mind. There are some conditions a woman may have at a particular stage during the pregnancy which accelerate very rapidly with consequent results for her health and life. A study of some of the cases the committee dealt with last year would illustrate just how rapidly a woman's health can deteriorate to an extent beyond which it is possible to save her. We need to bear it in mind at this juncture and not leave it too vague. We need to be certain in determining that a particular procedure should follow and when a particular action is to be taken by medical staff so it does not in any way put the mother's life in jeopardy due to doubt, indecision or delay. That can be crucial. I am referring to individual experiences I have come across in public life.