Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I oppose this cohort of amendments. One issue that has been lost in the discussion by those advocating for these amendments is there was a detailed national debate on this issue in a referendum ten years ago when the people were given the specific option to remove the suicide clause, which they rejected. Some Members argue that our citizens would somehow be grateful to us if we supported these amendments and deleted section 9, which deals with suicide but, on the contrary, they would be appalled and ashamed that we would so clearly disregard their opinion on this matter, which was decided by referendum.

There is a bizarre and deliberate attempt to distinguish between a physical risk to life and a psychological risk to life.

All the advocates of these amendments to repeal section 9 have not come either clean or clear about why that section, more than any other, is a problem for them. Surely it is perfectly clear that if a woman is in the tragic situation of being pregnant and suicidal that must be taken as seriously as if there were any other risk to her life during her pregnancy. That seems a reasonable proposition. More important, morally, ethically, philosophically and constitutionally, she has a right to have that pregnancy terminated in this State if that is what is required. While I respect everybody's right to amend legislation, even where I disagree profoundly with it, there is an attempt in these amendments to undermine a person's constitutional right in that respect.

As has been noted, the restrictive nature of the legislation means that if one has the means, wherewithal and financial resources to leave the country to have a termination in these circumstances, one probably will do so. This legislation provides a basic protection for women who face such a difficult situation. One can only imagine the context in which they would be suicidal as a result of pregnancy, which is what this legislation seeks to address.

One of the contributors observed that when the record of this debate is being reviewed and assessed, questions will be asked as to why in 2013 the suicide clause was retained within the Bill. I believe questions will be asked about why this Oireachtas is debating a Bill which I support although it is so minimalist in content that it is totally out of synch with public opinion on this issue. As has been seen in the outcomes of referendums and as has been demonstrated in recent opinion polls, the vast majority of Irish citizens fully support legislation in this regard. It is not contentious for them, being basic public health legislation to protect 50% of our population. As soon as this legislation passes tonight, as I believe it will, comprehensively, if the Second Stage vote is anything to go by, we will need to move straight away to push for a referendum to appeal the eighth amendment as quickly as possible and address the substantive issue of a woman's right to choose overall.

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