Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I speak in support of amendment No. 150. I note the Ministers in the front row. I have respect for many of them and that makes it all the more shocking that the Government would agree to the imposition of this particular aspect of the Bill. The vast majority of citizens watching this debate outside this Chamber do not believe that a woman who procures a termination of pregnancy, other than in the narrow circumstances for which we are legislating tonight, is a criminal. Ultimately, if the Government does not support amendment No. 150, which clearly and in a detailed way sets out a progressive pathway, it is criminalising them.

Over the past couple of days, throughout the discussion in which we are gradually coming to a conclusion, there have been many comments about morality, ethics and moral philosophy, often from a myopic perspective. Surely there is nothing more problematic, from a moral and philosophical perspective, than to criminalise 50% of the population for, as they see it, procuring appropriate medical treatment, and that is ultimately what this legislation will do. If the argument is that no one will ever be prosecuted under the legislation, why place it on the Statute Book?

It is a farcical approach to law to provide a law which it is not intended to enforce and which potentially leaves the Government open to all sorts of consequences and situations. If we are to legislate in a way that is balanced and reflects what I think are the views of the public and of society, then surely the Minister must accept the amendment and take a reasonable approach. No reasonable person, whether in this Chamber or looking on, believes that 50% of the population should be potentially criminalised in this way for procuring medical treatment. This is what is being suggested and what the legislation will mean in practice. Other Deputies have outlined all sorts of different possibilities that could lead to dreadful situations and circumstances for people. The Minister should accept the amendments. To those advocating a pro-choice position, mistakes were made last night in pressing buttons, this that and the other. I hope there will not be any mistakes when it comes to this issue.

See this speech in context