Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank all the witnesses for their excellent presentations here this evening. From Mr. O'Malley's presentation, it is clear that there is no feasible way that the successful conviction of a rapist could ever be used as a level of proof for a woman to access abortion. Does the witness know what the conviction rate for rape prosecutions is? It would be useful for the work of this committee to have those data. Of those indicted how many are convicted?

The question of the complications of requiring proof around rape has been well answered by all the witnesses.

During the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill debate, there was an assertion that thousands of women would be presenting themselves to their general practitioners, GPs, and falsely asserting that they were suicidal. I do not believe there is any evidence to justify that at present. Is it fair to say that if abortion was allowed in the case of rape, we could safely say that would not be abused?