Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Health

Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage

6:30 pm

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I can respond now. The Minister of State, Deputy White, has laid out very clearly that anything we do must have constitutional certainty. However, there is no constitutional certainty in this regard. Therefore, people believe we would probably need a referendum. This would certainly need to be proven in the courts. There is no doubt that it would be challenged in the courts. I have been advised that it is not possible to include this measure in this Bill. That is my current advice. While I respect the opinions of former Attorneys General, it is the current Attorney General who is tasked with giving advice and standing forth in the Supreme Court to defend what we do. That is the Attorney General to whom I listen and from whom I take advice. I do not mean any disrespect to anybody when I say that.