Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, was a member of the committee and like most other members, I attended all the hearings and listened to the submissions made by the various witnesses. The origin of this item in the Bill is that the committee sought advice on what applied in other jurisdictions. It transpired there was some national criticism that an attempt was being made to bring in legislation here which was equal to that available in the UK, where there was virtually no restriction. It also transpired that in a number of other European countries there was a time for reflection. In the Netherlands and in Germany the length of time was greater. It was five and seven days in some cases. As Members will recall, I felt that was a good idea for the reasons put forward by those witnesses.

Contrary to what some people say, it was in place to assist women, particularly those who felt threatened and were in a vulnerable situation where they might be ill at ease with their siblings or whatever the case may be and that they needed to have a discussion. The change came after the referendum when the medical practitioners then said there was no necessity for it and indicated that they were not in favour of it. That was after the referendum and it was too late to say that then because a clear indication had been given to the voting public, and some of the Members present were at the meeting at the time the decision was taken to reduce it to three days from five. I went along with that at the time, notwithstanding the fact that this applies currently in other jurisdictions in Europe.

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