Dáil debates

Thursday, 11 July 2013

Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed)

 

8:50 am

Photo of Billy TimminsBilly Timmins (Wicklow, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the broad thrust of these amendments. In concurrence with the previous speaker, I do not necessarily believe this legislation will open the floodgates. That was never the basis on which I opposed it. Experience elsewhere has shown that it has but I do not know if it will do it in this case. We have a wonderful mechanism for collecting statistics of every sort through the Central Statistics Office, including the import and export of foodstuffs, drink and alcohol. We have a statistic on virtually everything. It is really important to have these statistics so that we can see what is happening. I cannot think of any logical reason - perhaps the Minister of State will present one - as to why the thrust of these amendments are not to be accepted.

At the hearings when I put a question to the Chief Medical Officer and Secretary General of the Department about minors in the care of the HSE who had gone abroad under the X case grounds on the issue of suicide, I was alarmed to be told they did not have or did not keep such statistics. Through a series of parliamentary questions I eventually got the information. Does that not tell us something about what we think of children in care if we did not have an immediate statistic for such a matter when I can get a result on virtually any aspect of Irish society? This is not a prurient set of amendments, but ones which would enable people to understand the impact of the legislation so that it can be policed.

I again reiterate the bona fides of the two Ministers present. However, they might not necessarily always be there. I am always wary of ministerial assertions as Ministers come and go. I strongly support the amendments which have been tabled in good faith in a constructive and positive manner. I ask the Minister of State to go some way to meeting some of the concerns of those on the opposing side of the House.

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