James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not going to delay the House too long because I have spoken several times on this issue, back in December when it was first mooted and again on Second Stage. I am happy that I live in a country that has so far not allowed abortion. I understand we have been in a very difficult position for the past 21 years since the Supreme Court's decision in the X case. That judgment found that abortion was legal under the Constitution if there was a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother. The court held that this also included the threat of suicide. While I had many serious concerns about the danger that any legislation or regulations in this area could be broadened in the future, I have received commitments that this will not be the case.

I am not a legal person, unlike the Minister who spoke before me. I would disagree with him on many issues, but we are in the one party. From reading up on the X case, there is an opinion that some of the opinions at the time were flawed. The evidence of the threat of suicide came from a Garda report, not from the medical profession. I seek clarity on this issue and I am sure the Minister for Health will provide it for me when he speaks tonight. It was Mr. Rogers who stated this at the time. No expert witnesses were called and there were no cross-examinations of the evidence presented. Criticisms were made of the evidence in the X case by a senior judge at the time, Mr. Justice Hederman. What concerned me greatly was that a number of people around the X case were actively campaigning for the introduction of abortion in Ireland, which would be very much against my conscience.

This provides us with an opportunity to begin discussing solutions to problems women face, especially the root causes of abortion for the 5,000 women whom we are led to believe go abroad each year for an abortion. This is because there is a huge lack of practical resources and emotional supports for women with crisis pregnancies. The services are not available and this leads to many women being traumatised in the State. It is an issue that forces many of them to travel abroad for an abortion. It is an issue that cannot be ignored. I sympathise with all of those who face this crisis, but better supports for women need to be put in place and would go a long way towards dissuading many women from travelling abroad for an abortion.

What evidence is there to suggest a woman who is suicidal and has an abortion enjoys better mental health afterwards? Perhaps the Ministers might cite studies and the facts in this respect. What markers are used to help to identify that a woman is going to commit suicide?

Can we be sure those markers are accurate?

The Minister of State says the Bill is about saving lives. Does the Title of the Bill reflect everything contained in it? We need clarity on that issue. My voting intentions tonight are based on the best available medical and legal advice that it will protect women and babies during pregnancy.

I consider this an ethical, moral and medical issue rather than a political one. We must admit that in the run-up to the last election all of us sent out letters stating that Fine Gael would not legislate for abortion. I want to make it clear this legislation is not for abortion. In March 2002, when the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, was leader of Fine Gael, he stated that the party would bring forward legislation in line with the Supreme Court's decision in the X case. That is what we are now doing. I was assured by the Taoiseach that the Bill will fully protect the lives of pregnant women and their unborn children despite scaremongering to the contrary. It is a restrictive Bill and there has been a lot of scaremongering. There are no restrictions at present and this Bill will set the bar considerably higher. That is important to all of us. We are addressing sections 7, 8 and 9 of the Bill. I have already spoken at length on the Bill and on every occasion I stated that I never want to see a situation in this country in which a Government introduces abortion on demand.

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