Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

According to the CSO, the population of Ireland in 2016 was 50.49% women and 49.51% men. I believe in the Irish people. I believe in the equality of both sexes. I trust our people. As an Irishman, I trust Irishwomen. I believe that repealing the eighth amendment is all about trusting Irishwomen. I particularly believe that we must do so as a society.

I fully support the conclusions reached by the joint committee in its report, particularly its recommendation that the eighth amendment, or Article 40.3.3°, should be repealed and not replaced. I am of the view that repeal simpliciter is the right approach to take. I support the recommendation to the effect that if the eighth amendment is repealed, terminations be allowed where the life of a woman or her health, mental or physical, is at risk. I further support the committee’s recommendation in respect of cases involving fatal foetal abnormalities.

The decision to allow for terminations with no restriction as to reason up to 12 weeks through a GP-led service is correct. The joint committee’s decision not to accept the recommendation of the Citizens’ Assembly in respect of allowing terminations up to 22 weeks' gestation and on socio-economic grounds is also correct.

I thank the members of the joint committee, a number of whom are in the Chamber, for their work. I am not a believer in this new politics lark but I must make an exception in this case.

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