Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I agree with the Minister of State that the word “sympathy” just does not work in these cases. I also want to reflect the same concerns for a woman who finds that the unborn child she is carrying has no prospect of life outside the womb. It must be devastating news for her, her husband or partner and her family.

It was explained in considerable detail that it was the Minister's view, based on the advices he was receiving, that this issue could not be addressed in the context of this legislation. It was explained that it could likely only be addressed by means of a constitutional amendment.

I would like to ask the Minister about the response he gave to Deputy Healy. I want to see how firm he is in the view he expressed. He acknowledged that there is a variety of opinion on the prospects of this legislation. If that were not the case, Deputy Healy would not have tabled these amendments in the first place. I believe a former Attorney General may have made an argument accepting that provision could be made to address the issue of fatal foetal abnormalities outside of a constitutional change. The opinions of Attorneys General might differ. The circumstances they set out prevail for the time of their respective service only. Since the last time we addressed this substantively, has the Minister had an opportunity to satisfy himself that nothing that can be done in the context of this legislation, or any other amending legislation, while the Constitution stands as it does at present? If the Minister could offer us whatever he now knows or believes, it might help us to assess the situation as it stands.