Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

It is critical that legislation is introduced immediately to provide for the termination of a pregnancy which threatens the life of a woman. That this has not happened in the 20 years since the Supreme Court ruled that it was permissible under the Constitution is testament to the cowardly prevarication of the political establishment in this State. However, such legislation, which should be enacted in view of the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar, is now wholly inadequate. It may emerge that the critical delay of a termination in Ms Halappanavar's tragic case was a result of the grey zone between, on the one hand, damage, even of a serious nature, to the health of a woman and, on the other, a certain risk of death. We have heard the testimonies of numerous women who tragically found themselves with unviable pregnancies, the continuation of which would have resulted in serious damage to their mental or physical health but were unable to receive the safe legal termination they needed in this State and, shamefully, were forced to travel abroad, thus adding to their suffering, distress and financial burdens. The circumstances of these women were not provided for in the 1992 Supreme Court judgment in the X case and nor can they be certain that they will be provided for when legislation is enacted in respect of the X case.

To emphasise this point, I have tabled, on behalf of the Socialist Party, an amendment to the Sinn Féin motion which "notes that the 1992 Supreme Court judgment in the 'X Case', seeks to protect the life and not necessarily the health of the woman, leaving healthcare workers in a position where they are compelled to tolerate a threshold of illness, suffering and deteriorating health in a pregnant woman, including to the point that her life is endangered" and "calls for the drafting of legislation providing (where this is requested by a woman) for termination of a pregnancy which threatens her mental or physical health and in cases of conception by rape or incest and for an informed national debate on the constitutional change". Every year, between 4,000 and 5,000 women travel by choice outside of the State to avail of an abortion. Their choice must be provided for.

The views of ordinary people, especially the young, are light years ahead of those of the political establishment. By mobilising their anger and opposition in increasing numbers in every community, they must force the tardy legislators of this House to do what is necessary.

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