Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Bill deals with the equal right to life of the woman. I have set out my own position in that I do not think the Bill goes far enough, but we have to deal with the parameters in front of us. This Bill is supposed to provide legal clarity. The amendments tabled by myself and others proposing to include the words "neither immediate nor inevitable" give that clarity which should be implicit in the legislation and clear for all to see. Deputy Liam Twomey wondered whether, if the Visitors' Gallery was full of doctors, would they understand what we are talking about. If the phrase "neither immediate nor inevitable" was included, I think it would give some very important clarity, particularly when problems that turn a risk to health into a risk to life can be of very sudden onset. This was illustrated very recently and very unfortunately. The quite punitive penalties of 14 years' imprisonment or an undetermined fine must be examined in the context of this terminology. I certainly do not want to see clinicians erring on the side of caution where there would be a risk to life in order to ensure that there is a certainty of avoiding prosecution. Our proposals would provide much more safety for the woman and it would give some certainty and clarity to clinicians. I urge the Minister to accept those amendments.

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