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 Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are talking about the grouping here. I am proposing amendment No. 44, which seeks to include the words "and ascertained her views". It has been pointed out by several people - and I do not believe it was intentional - that the focus is very much on the doctors in the way this Bill has been written. There are suggested terms which read, "Two doctors, having examined the pregnant woman", reference to two doctors forming opinions, provision for who the two doctors have to be, mention of two doctors certifying their opinions, and reference to actions carried out by two doctors. The wishes of the woman are missing. This is a very simple amendment, which I hope the Minister can accept. It is on page 9, line 11. It currently reads: "A termination may be carried out where two medical practitioners, having examined the woman, are of ... reasonable opinion [of the following things]". I would like it to read: "Two medical practitioners, having examined the pregnant woman and ascertained her views".

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