Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to have this opportunity this evening to add my voice to this debate on what is, as we can all agree, a very important issue, the repeal of the eighth amendment to the Constitution.

It will come as no surprise to the House to learn that I, like them, continue to be lobbied on an almost daily basis by groups and individuals on both sides of this debate - by those who are in favour of repealing the eighth amendment and by those who wish to retain it. Like all of the Members who have contributed and spoken here in this debate on previous occasions, I, too, have my own personally held views on the issue of abortion. While my views are no greater or no more worthy of mention than those of anyone else, as a legislator I have a fundamental duty to ensure that it is the voice of the people that wins out and that it is their will that is done.

On that note, and putting aside the arguments of conscience and rights for a second, it is critical that we strip this debate back and look at it more fundamentally because whether one opposes abortion outright or one believes in a woman's right to choose, the eighth amendment to the Constitution does little, if anything, to promote either of those causes. Instead, the eighth amendment is a provision which effectively serves solely to criminalise women who, for whatever the reason, have made a conscious decision to end a pregnancy. It criminalises any decision regardless of whether the life of the mother is at risk should she carry the child to term or where she has been the victim of a dreadful crime, such as rape or incest. What logical reason then is there to punish that person further by criminalising her in the eyes of the law? There is no compassion or sense of decency in inflicting yet more suffering on such a person, yet that is exactly what the eighth amendment does. This being the case, what reason is there not to support its repeal?

Moving away from that basic fact, however, we must further ask ourselves the question as to why anyone, including Members of the House, should have the right to impose his or her views on another person. Surely, if we truly believe in the ability of the women of Ireland to determine their own fates and to decide their own destinies, why should we not trust them enough to make up their own minds when it comes to an issue as important as this?

For our part, my party and I have been unambiguous in our position in respect of the eighth amendment. Sinn Féin supports its repeal. This is the stance which reflects the overwhelming view of the majority of our members and is, I believe, the stance that reflects the overwhelming view of the majority of the citizens of this State because, ideological differences and matters of personal conscience aside, the issue of abortion is an important matter of public health, of women's health and women's health care more broadly.

While I do not believe for one second that the subject of abortion is a clear-cut, black-and-white issue, it is one which nonetheless requires an open, honest and balanced debate. The debate must be inclusive and we must hear all the views and arguments put forward by all sides while, above all else, remaining mindful and respectful of one another. This is why this referendum on the repeal of the eighth amendment must be held as soon as possible in order that the people will finally have their say. This subject is by its very nature emotive and often divisive and polarises public opinion. Notwithstanding the diverging stances which have been adopted by the various sides on this issue, one cannot deny that the arguments being made by all sides are worthy of consideration. I sincerely hope, whatever the result of the forthcoming referendum - and I hope it will be to repeal the eighth amendment - that the debate which precedes it is tolerant, compassionate and respectful of all who choose to partake in it.

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