Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The collection of data will be vital. It seems likely that abortion will be introduced in Ireland in the coming weeks. Efforts have been made to get the Bill through the Dáil by hook or by crook. Last week, I spoke on the large numbers of women in the United Kingdom who undergo as many as eight abortions. I and many experts are highly suspicious that there is a strong possibility that many of those women are being abused. However, no records are kept to help to identify that and ease their plight. We must ensure that such practices do not happen in this country.

The recording of ethnicity is proposed because in other jurisdictions women of vulnerable minority groups are more likely to be targeted by abortion providers who want to make money from them. Only through the collection of these data can we identify whether certain socio-economic or ethnic groups are at particular risk and should be provided with additional supports in terms of pregnancy prevention. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, the largest provider of abortion services in the United States, was a known eugenicist who targeted African-American and vulnerable communities. Many in this House will say that this would never happen here, but we cannot be certain of that. That is why I have repeatedly proposed that the wording of the Bill be amended to offer protection to such women. Amendments Nos. 43, 43a and 43b present an opportunity in this regard. They have been put forward to protect women, rather than to disadvantage them in any way. I ask that the Minister acknowledge that the amendments have been tabled in a genuine effort to protect women.

There is nothing wrong with collecting data. Obviously, the data would form part of confidential medical records, but at least we would know if a large number of women are having eight abortions, as is the case in the United Kingdom, and would be able to protect such women from abuse.

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