John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was not a member of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution but I am well aware that this issue had been discussed, although it did not form part of any recommendation. However, the 72-hour period was clearly part of the Heads of the Bill. I disagree with comments made by Deputy Kelly when he said that he felt that it was not a substantial issue in the referendum. It is difficult for any of us to try to second guess what people voted for because in reality, there was a huge spectrum of reasons why people voted. Some wanted a very liberal regime of abortion, others wanted a very restrictive regime of abortion and some did not want abortion at all and that was the whole spectrum.

To suggest that this issue of 72 hours was not important is wrong. It may not have been important to some people, but I am certainly aware that it was a significant issue for a number of people. It appeared and presented in the Heads of the Bill and for people who wanted to see termination in controlled and limited conditions, this 72-hour period was not to be seen as a barrier or an obstacle as portrayed by Deputies earlier. The other side of the coin was that during that 72-hour period, the woman in question would not just be left there, but that other options, advice, counselling and supports would be made available to her, which she may not have had the option to consider or access beforehand, and it was taken in that context.

To try to second guess what people thought is wrong. It was clearly part of the debate and it was clearly a significant issue for a number of people although maybe not all people. It is not a question of just saying that if we delay it for 72 hours they might change their mind because that was not what people were thinking. They were thinking that the 72-hour period was to afford an opportunity to look at other alternatives, advice and supports.

I disagree with my colleague Deputy Kelleher when he said that if abortion pills continue to be sold online in Ireland, it will show that this legislation has failed. That is too simplistic a view because all sorts of medications are online and that is a different debate and I would not go there, but I concur with Deputy Kelleher when he clearly indicated that the 72-hour period was part of the original Heads of the Bill and it was hard for him to do so because he disagrees with this. It is imperative that it stays because that is what the people expect to see from this legislation.

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