Dáil debates

Tuesday, 4 December 2018

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed)

 

10:30 pm

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We want to ensure we have the best possible practice. While we might hold a different view - we are entitled to hold a legitimate different view - in respect of what we deem to be healthcare but these amendments were put forward in good faith. It is disgusting to see that they are being twisted and taken out of context. I want to put that on the record before I begin.

Data recording in the context of amendment No. 43a is not seen as another box-ticking exercise. It is seen as being fundamental to the integrity of the operation of the Act.

It was also suggested on Committee Stage by Deputy Coppinger that comprehensive data relating to the practice of abortion should not be recorded because we do not collect similar kinds of data for the extraction of wisdom teeth. I have the transcript of that debate with me. While I am sure that the Deputy was not being facetious, it highlights again how we simply cannot adopt an approach whereby we place abortions, the ending of the life of the foetus, into the same category as some minor or relatively inconsequential procedure.

We are talking here about an intervention where the sole outcome is the ending of at least one human life. The Minister will also note that the amendment refers to the recording of data related to foeticide. This is in line with existing requirements in the UK. Notification must be made there of the method used, specifically if the foeticide was surgical or medical, and depending on the method used.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.