Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As I set out on Committee Stage, I do not agree with the three-day period and there is no medical evidence to back it up. However, it is unambiguously in the heads of the Bill and, therefore, it is part of what people voted for. If we are applying a principle that says we must stay in line with what the people voted for, inevitably we will sometimes vote for provisions that we personally agree with and sometimes against provisions we personally agree with. This is one of those times. I will support the retention of the three-day waiting period because it was part of the heads of the Bill which people knew when they voted.

I thank the Minister for his clarification on section 13. An issue I raised with him at length on Committee Stage, as have senior clinicians, is that it would have been unworkable for a woman to have to go back to the same GP in any circumstances. GPs get sick, they work in different practices, locums are used, GPs go on holidays and so on. I acknowledge that the Minister has taken this on board. Amendment No. 35, which is not in this group but is related, essentially brings that in and allows a woman to be seen by a second GP after the three days. I acknowledge that the Minister committed to bringing that in on Report Stage and has done so. I will support it, as it is important that if a GP changes, a woman can still access healthcare services.

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