Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Many Government Members believe enacting this Bill allows them to conclude the issue because the legislation is restrictive and will not significantly change the practice of medicine and maternity care in this country. However, a group of people in the Government see this as a first step in making it progressively easier to obtain an abortion in this jurisdiction. As the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, has confirmed, the Members who will voting for the Bill on the benches opposite hold diametrically opposed views. The truth will only be known as the issue is worked out in the next five to ten years. It is likely that the wishes expressed by those who want this to be a first step on a long road will come to pass, much to the disappointment of those who believe they can finish the matter by legislating in good faith for a very restrictive provision.

The Minister quoted a psychiatrist. I will quote the following from a statement by 120 psychiatrists:

We believe that legislation that includes a proposal that an abortion should form part of the treatment for suicidal ideation has no basis in the medical evidence available. We as psychiatrists are being called upon to participate in a process that is not evidence-based and we do not believe that this should be asked of the profession.

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