Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Based on the suicide clause, the Bill is unconstitutional. I would like the Minister for Health to tell me whether the Attorney General and Cabinet are satisfied that it is constitutional. Do they have doubts about its constitutionality?

Many Members will come in here tonight and vote for this Bill, and will vote against amendment No. 56, on the basis they believe they have no other choice because of the judgment in the X case. I concur with the points made by earlier speakers and I will not re-plough the ground on the issue of whether it is binding or not. I believe it is not.

Looking at Mr. Justice O'Flaherty's comments at the weekend, it appears the Supreme Court was saying we need to legislate for the constitutional Article 40.3.3°, not for the X case.

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