Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At my meeting with the representatives of the Catholic Church, the question of the A, B and C v. Ireland case was discussed. I emphasised to the delegation that the Government had no choice but to address the reality arising under Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court judgment and the European Court of Justice. At that stage, we had established an expert group, as provided for under the programme for Government, which had presented options to implement the A, B and C v. Ireland judgment. The Government made its decision that legislation and regulation was the best way, providing legal certainty for medical professionals in cases where an intervention is necessary to save the life of a mother.

I pointed out clearly that the complexity here was the question of suicide and how that should be dealt with. I made it perfectly clear that this was not an attempt to introduce, nor was the issue one of introducing, abortion on demand.

I made the point to the delegation that the legislation being drafted by Government would not include a provision for abortion in the cases of rape, foetal abnormalities or incest. It was not a case of pressure from the church bringing about the boundaries of the legislation being drafted. That was done strictly in accordance with the constitutional remit endorsed by the people and for which no legislation had been put through the House in more than 30 years.

My personal relationship with the Catholic Church is very good, solid and clear. During the early part of the year, I met off and on with members of the church on various occasions and functions in different parts of the country. I had then, and continue to have, a very good relationship with members of the church.

The intention here was to deal with the outcome of the referendum as decided by the people and the requirement to deal with the consequence of the Supreme Court judgment and the European Court of Justice judgment. It was for those reasons the legislation was drafted in the way it was.

It is not my intention to introduce an amendment to the Act in respect of fatal foetal abnormalities. I know this is an issue of great sensitivity for people, as are a number of other issues. The situation I set out to legislate for was the consequence of the referendum voted on and endorsed by the people-----

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