Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak to my amendment No. 15. It deals with an issue that we discussed on Committee Stage, the genuine concerns raised by Members on all sides of the House about the possibility of late-term abortions. I tabled an amendment on this issue on Committee Stage and the Minister rightly said that we could not proceed with that amendment. I have put forward an alternative which would clarify the issue of medical treatment. As the Minister knows, under the definitions and everywhere else, the legislation is silent on this issue. We do not know whether there will be regulations specifically to deal with it. I believe this is unlikely because the Minister has said it will be up to the physician to make that determination. I am clarifying that definition to state the medical treatment employed should not impede all efforts to sustain the life of the unborn which potentially is viable outside the womb. The Minister articulated the point very well on Committee Stage when he said no one could attempt to destroy a potentially viable foetus in utero and that was provided for in the Constitution. I question this and believe the legislation is needed to clarify it. That is why I have tabled this amendment which would make sure no medical procedure employed could destroy a foetus in utero where there was the possibility of its being viable outside the womb as a baby. I hope the Minister can accept this amendment.

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