Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is a great depth of feeling about this issue. It is probably the part of the Bill that has been spoken about most. With my heart and soul I can fully understand why someone would not want to be part of this. There are many reasons for it. Some people might be pro-life. People should not have to explain themselves. I know that the Minister is aware that the depth of feeling on this issues applies not only to the medical staff but also to the general public. Everyone believes that nobody should be forced to do something that is against what he or she believes in his or her heart and soul. The mental health of medical staff is suffering because of the thoughts of what may be, so it is very important that this is clarified very quickly. Many medical professionals have suggested to me that they would resign if they were forced to do something that they believe to be wrong. We are facing a potential loss of good, experienced medical staff. I cannot reiterate enough the trauma that people feel they will go through if they are forced to do something they fundamentally believe is wrong.

One of the main things that helped the "Yes" campaign succeed was the word "choice". I know of many people who were going to vote "No", but when people started to argue for a "my body, my choice" approach their feelings and attitudes to it changed. We must give medical staff the choice if they fundamentally believe that they should not have to do something they do not wish to do.