Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This legislation is a significant step, but so much more has to be done. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, has made the point that it is not possible to do more because of the Constitution, a claim we do not accept. The criminalisation of abortion has not been removed. The notion that a person can receive 14 years in prison for importing an abortion pill is draconian and not positive. Criminal laws have a negative impact on the right to health. This could have been dealt with without any reference to any problem in the Constitution. I am still not convinced that the Bill brings clarity to the issue. I am not sure all of the confusion around it has disappeared.

It appears there is still much confusion, but we have not opposed the Bill for the reasons the Minister stated and it was disingenuous of him to suggest it in that way.

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