Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have never endured so much mental anguish and torment as I have over this decision. The past six months have been very difficult as I debated the decision I must make. I was selected as a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children. I am opposed to abortion. I met the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, on several occasions and spent hours discussing my concerns with him. I am satisfied he is not introducing abortion on demand. He is putting in place safeguards to deal with the legal vacuum created by the Supreme Court's judgment 21 years ago. In the Dáil I have called for further safeguards to prevent the law from being abused. Specifically, I have called for the identity of medical professionals certifying that a termination of pregnancy is necessary to be recorded. I have also called for reports with detailed statistics for terminations to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas annually. I am reassured that the legislation was amended on Committee Stage to include both of these amendments. I was reassured when the Minister tabled amendments this week to provide further clarity for doctors in assessing a woman where the foetus is at, or close to, the point of viability in order that they will be mindful of their responsibilities to both patients, the mother and the baby.

As someone who is opposed to abortion, this has been a difficult personal journey. The legislation strikes the right balance. It protects the life of the woman, while respecting the life of the unborn. It contains significant requirements for transparency and safeguards to prevent the law from being abused and leading to abortion on demand. For this reason, I will vote in favour of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill in the Dáil.

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