Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am very happy to have the opportunity to state my position on the eighth amendment on the record of the Dáil. I have always believed that standing by my principles and speaking from the heart will never send me too far wrong, and that is how I have approached this issue from the very beginning. This is a very contentious and polarising issue in Irish society and has been for decades. As an Irish citizen, I have put politics aside on many occasions in the past and reflected honestly on this issue. I have spent much time in recent days and weeks reflecting upon this issue as we move towards a referendum and pressure is put on politicians from the public that elected them to office to take stances and state their positions. Following such periods of reflection, I have always come to the same conclusion: I am pro-life. I believe in the rights of the unborn as stated in our Constitution and believe these rights must be protected at all costs. However, as a public representative, I also have a responsibility to my constituents. The people who have voted for me in numerous local and general elections, and whom I have the honour to represent, are well aware of my beliefs in this regard. Therefore, I believe I have a mandate from the majority of my constituents to be a pro-life politician. I am opposed to the outright repeal of the eighth amendment as I believe the rights of the unborn as stated in our Constitution must be protected. I am opposed to unrestricted access to abortion up to 12 weeks' gestation. This is not to say that I do not respect or accept the work which has been carried out over many weeks and months by representatives of all parties and none in the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. This is not to say that I do not respect or accept the views of my colleagues, my constituents, my family and friends or anyone who considers himself or herself pro-choice.

Everyone is entitled to their views and their opinion on this subject. I am hopeful that all sides respect the views of one another and that respectful debate takes place over the next few months.

I firmly believe in democracy, which entitles everyone to his or her opinion and viewpoint. I am a lifelong believer in democracy and that is why I became a politician. I believe in democracy down to my very bones. This is why I firmly believe the Irish people are entitled to have their say on this matter for the first time in nearly 35 years. The Government has committed to holding a referendum on the eighth amendment. This is now a reality and I support the people's right to have their say in a referendum on any matter. However, if the question is put that we should have an outright repeal of the eighth amendment and replace it with legislation for unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks, I cannot support that. This is my long held personal and political stance and one I did not reach lightly. Ultimately, I will respect the result of the referendum as the will of the people of Ireland.

If I am truly honest with myself on the eighth amendment, there are areas of it about which I have great concern. The situation whereby women purchase unregulated and illegal abortion pills over the Internet must be seriously looked at. This is a dangerous practice that requires the Government's attention when drafting any legislation. If we can provide more adequate supports and resources that would assist the women in this position, outside of unrestricted abortion, we must seek to do that. I also have concerns about rape and incest. The women in such harrowing situations are obviously very traumatised and require the State's support at every turn, but there are two lives to be considered in such instances, and there are many well documented cases of people who are grown adults and human beings who walk among us today who support the rights of the unborn and are against abortion. This shows us that termination is not always the answer. I also have concerns surrounding babies who are deemed to have a fatal foetal abnormality. I do not like using that term, but it is the term which is most commonly used.

I am on the record as stating if appropriate medical personnel conclude that the mother’s life is at risk, and if appropriate medical personnel also conclude, beyond all medical doubt, that the foetus will not survive, and both parents are in agreement, then as a last resort abortion should be considered in this case, if deemed medically necessary, but this is not a black and white issue. The word abortion is repugnant and abhorrent to me. The eighth amendment is the only protection of the unborn in our society and for that reason it has to be retained or, if amended, there must still be the right to hold it in the Constitution.

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