Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to point out that conscientious objection is a major issue. I can see why. I have met a number of GPs and they have genuine concerns. They do not want to have any hand, act or part in the abortion process. It is as simple as that. The legislation as it stands, which my colleague Deputy Tóibín pointed out, does not provide for full conscientious objection. It was not voted on in the referendum, if we are to be honest about that. That 640 GPs have signed a petition suggests that this is becoming a major problem that needs to be dealt with.

It is appalling that the Minister did not consult with these GPs or sit down with them. The doctors' group released a statement, which he may be aware of, stating quite clearly that they felt bullied and disrespected; those are their words not mine. They have been treated in an appalling manner. Everybody has the right to conscientious objection. Let us be straight that it is a human right. These GPs want no hand act or part in this. Their views should be respected. The legislation is a weak form of conscientious objection. It is not given full conscientious objection or respecting their rights.

The GPs have also pointed out that as well as the Government the Irish College of General Practitioners, ICGP, has also acted in an unfair manner in that it refused to call the EGM until after these amendments are dealt with. What that effectively means is that the legislators cannot hear the voices of the GPs directly. We have met them and I know many of the pro-life TDs have had the courtesy to meet them in our clinics and we have been hearing their concerns. We agree that there is a huge issue here.

If these GPs refuse to participate in this process, and I am totally sympathetic to them, what is going to happen? Are their licences going to be taken? Are they going to be locked up? Are we going to have a flood of court cases because that seems to be where we are headed here? All this is at the end of the day is upholding a fundamental right to conscientious objection. If we do not accept this very reasonable amendment here, we are headed to a flood of court cases. Listen to the GPs and respect them. We are talking here about different choices and views. We all have our own views and nobody, whether they be a politician or a GP or a health care worker, should be forced into taking part in a process with which they fundamentally disagree.