Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The age of consent for medical treatment in Ireland is 16 in virtually all situations. I believe this age of consent should apply to the most serious situation - the provision of termination of pregnancy. We cannot allow a child under the age of 16 to have a termination of pregnancy without the knowledge or consent of her parents. We would not allow this to happen in the case of any other serious procedure, so we cannot allow it in this case. Parents have a right to know about a serious situation like crisis pregnancy that arises for one of their children. Such circumstances have potentially far-reaching consequences for children from a medical and emotional point of view. We cannot allow a child to face into a crisis pregnancy alone and without the knowledge and support of her parents.

Twenty-one European countries have a requirement for parental notification in cases involving women under the age of 18. Forty states of the United States have a similar law. These are jurisdictions with liberal abortion regimes. If these countries and states deem that parental notification is necessary, it must be for a good reason. The amendment before the House recognises that parents should be involved in decisions that have far-reaching consequences for their children and ensures the doctors involved respect the Constitution. This position is supported by international best practice. This is not about consent; it is about notification. There is a major difference. For this reason, I support the amendment.

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