Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the publication of the heads of the protection of life during pregnancy Bill yesterday. Cuirim fáilte roimh an chéim thábhachtach seo. Women have been waiting for this legislation for 21 years and the Government is to be commended for bringing forward its proposals. Sinn Féin, for its part, will consider this Bill carefully and we hope the debate will be conducted calmly based on the wording as published.

In our view, the legislation must provide clarity for medical practitioners and legal protection for pregnant women when their lives are in danger. Could the Taoiseach clarify the Bill is about setting out in legislation that which is already provided for in the Constitution and for those who have argued about this being the thin end of the wedge and that it will open the floodgates, these are alarmist suggestions? It must be clear that this represents nothing of the sort.

Does the Taoiseach agree citizens can be assured this legislation is about protecting mothers when their lives are at risk and the doctors who care for them, and that we will judge this against the obligations on the State and the principles for implementation as set out in the report of the expert group on the A, B and C v. Ireland case? Will the Taoiseach reassure the Dáil this Bill deals with these obligations?

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