Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We need to remind ourselves of the Bill’s scope and intent, which I welcome. We in Sinn Féin will support its passage through Report and Final Stages today, but the address of the Bill is the protection of life during pregnancy. As party spokesperson on health, throughout the long discourse on this Bill when first mooted at the end of last year, the hearings in January, the heads of the Bill hearings, Second and Committee Stages to today, I have always believed the address of the Bill is the protection of both the life of the pregnant woman and the unborn child. I have never at any time believed the address of the scope of the Bill was other than this.

I reject the amendments that seek to limit the address and scope of the Bill to maternal life only. The address in which I have been involved throughout has been in the context of protecting both lives. While Sinn Fein reflects in its policy some of the measures addressed in the grouping of amendments, including the threat to the health of the woman, the Bill is specific in its address, the threat to the life of the woman. I am anxious that we get in the course to the debate to the amendments that can make a difference to the Bill as they address its scope. They can be accepted and the Minister’s response will come in its own course, but I believe some of the amendments have no potential because they are outside the scope of the stated intent and address of the legislation.

I support amendment No. 18. I fully understand and appreciate that the Bill seeks to ensure due regard for the life of the pregnant woman and the unborn child. That is the context in which we must measure the Bill and its subsequent outworking on its passage against the backdrop of the constitutional protections. However, I have no difficulty because what is involved in this amendment is the addition of the phrase, “and with due regard to the life of the woman”. There cannot be any substantive objection to the inclusion of that additional reference to what I understand is reflected and central to the Bill’s intent.

The Leas-Cheann Comhairle may indicate that I am out of order, but with regard to amendment No. 128, I will only abuse the moment briefly. On Committee Stage the Minister indicated to me that he would come back with an amendment that would address the issue of after care. I have retabled my amendment. The Minister indicated on Committee Stage that as an Opposition Member, I could not progress such an amendment regarding optional therapeutic after care for women who had had had terminations of pregnancy because it could constitute a charge on the Exchequer but that he would come back, accepting the validity of the points I had made. However, I regret that he has not tabled such an amendment. I appeal to him at this early stage in the deliberations to please recall his commitment and consider what he might do before the day’s end.

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