Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise. It is my iPad. If we are to show genuine respect and give life and reality to the constitutional provision in Article 40.3.3.⁰ then it would be bizarre that we would not consider to be an offence the intentional taking of human life. As Deputy Creed said it would essentially make void the entire piece of legislation but also the constitutional guarantees that have been secured in Article 40.3.3⁰. I disagree with the suggestion that the section be deleted. However, I agree that 14 years is an extremely harsh sentence for someone who would, we imagine, be in a very difficult and delicate situation. My amendment No. 152 proposes to reduce the sentence from a draconian 14 years. Offences of equal if not greater gravity often lead to much shorter sentences. My amendment proposes the sentence to five years. I am not prescriptive and if the Minister has a suggestion of his own, Members would be interested to hear it.

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