Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We do not want to compromise in this regard but that is what the amendments seek to do. If accepted, they would lead to a compromise being made in the context of saving the life of the mother. It must be remembered that the obligation in both the legislation and the Constitution is to the effect that every effort must be made to save the life of the unborn as well. Unlike other countries, we have an article in our Constitution, namely, Article 40.3.3o, which dictates that the life of the unborn must be saved. If we begin to compromise, however, and state that any risk of death to the mother must be set aside at some point in the pregnancy, we would then, in effect, be compromising her right to life.

See this speech in context