Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

During the committee hearings, strong points were also made by many health professionals about inadequate resourcing of our maternity and psychiatric services. The picture drawn was of a system which is very close to being dangerous. Pressures arising from the implementation of this legislation will undoubtedly put patients at further risk and this is an issue which requires the Minister's urgent attention.

It is a matter of regret that this Bill does not currently cater for fatal foetal abnormality. I understand that several hundred couples every year face the harrowing situation where the baby they are expecting is diagnosed as being incapable of survival outside the womb. We have all heard the heartbreaking stories of women who have been faced with this awful diagnosis. These are babies who are very much wanted but who cannot survive once born. I think most people would view it as callous and wrong that early delivery cannot be carried out in Ireland in these circumstances. It is a scandal that such couples must travel to the UK for this treatment and return home heartbroken to await the ashes of their baby to be sent on at a later date. I would strongly urge the Minister to amend the definition of "the unborn" in the Bill in order to cover babies who are incapable of survival outside of the womb.

In my view, and I believe it is the view of many Irish people, a person who becomes pregnant as a result of rape or incest should be able to have a termination in an Irish hospital. It is inhuman to expect a person in those circumstances to proceed with a pregnancy. Again, we should ask ourselves, what would I do if I or a family member were in that situation? It is worth noting that if termination was available in the case of rape, we would not have an X case judgement.

The Bill provides for the making of regulations by the Minister. This is a standard provision, however, it does not identify the sections under which it is intended to make such regulations. This is very unusual. Clarity is required on this point and, in addition, it would be essential that all of the proposed regulations would be published in full at an early date in order that they can be considered in conjunction with the provisions of the Bill.

On the matter of a free vote, I have to ask what the Government parties are afraid of. This is undoubtedly an issue of conscience and for that reason, party members should be allowed to follow their consciences.

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