Dáil debates

Wednesday, 5 December 2018

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

 

4:30 pm

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not intend to speak on this for long because we spoke on it at great length at the committee and on many other occasions. Members need to be careful with the use of language. I heard the reference to abortion as a women taking the easy option. That is grossly offensive, regardless of anybody's view on the issue. It is never easy. No women gets up and says, "God, I would love to have an abortion today." That sort of language adds to the stigma of women in crisis.

We ought to be careful in using such language. Abortion is not an easy option.

Informed consent exists in this country. Doctors who do not follow informed consent may face the most serious of consequences, including the loss of their livelihood. The Medical Council Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners has been discussed at great length. It dedicates five pages to the issue of consent, including section 9, consent – general principles; section 10, capacity to consent; section 11, information for patients; section 12, timing of consent process; section 13, responsibility for seeking consent; section 14, emergency situations; section 15, refusal of treatment; section 16, advance healthcare plan or directive; section 17, consent to genetic testing; section 18, children and young people; and section 19, personal relationships with patients. Pages 15 to 20, inclusive, of the Medical Council rule book outline the issue of consent. It is inherent in the amendment that we need to tell a doctor that he or she must provide medically accurate information to a patient and tell her the proposed method for the termination of pregnancy and the immediate and long-term medical risks. However, that is already standard medical practice and there is no need for the amendment.

Members have asked on several occasions what supports will be provided for women in crisis pregnancy who do not wish to pursue a termination. I have not addressed such queries because we are on Report Stage, Members are meant to speak only to the amendments, and that is what I have been endeavouring to do. On this occasion, however, I will expand on that issue. Deputy Michael Collins horrifically described the 24-7 helpline as an advertisement line for abortion providers, which is quite a disgusting, as well as inaccurate, way to refer to it. For the information of Deputy Fitzpatrick, it is a non-directional helpline. Many of his constituents may have experienced a crisis pregnancy and travelled to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands or elsewhere or taken an abortion pill. A significant majority of them voted to repeal the eighth amendment and allow us to pass this law. One of his constituents in a crisis pregnancy will be able to phone that 24-7 helpline which will be operated by healthcare professionals who will provide non-directive information on all of the options. Some Members of the House do not want one of those options to be termination. That is fine. They are entitled to hold that opinion. However, they lost the referendum. Everybody else in the House wants termination to be one of the options available because we take our mandate from the people. The non-directional 24-7 helpline is not an abortion helpline but rather one which will inform a woman in crisis on all of her options, including access to counselling. Deputy Fitzpatrick is correct that access to counselling and support for a woman is important no matter what her decision. It is not for me or anyone else to judge that decision.

I substantially disagree with the Deputy on contraception. By its nature, contraception reduces pregnancy and, therefore, crisis pregnancy. It can play a major role in the reduction of crisis pregnancy rates. In 2019, we will increase the amount of barrier contraception available. I look forward to returning to the House with legislation to expand eligibility to free contraception for women. I have asked my Department to work on the preparation of clinical guidance in that regard. I hope that Members of this House, particularly those who do not support this legislation, will support the expansion of eligibility to free contraception to more women to reduce the number of crisis pregnancies.

I do not intend to accept the amendment, which is very similar to one tabled on Committee Stage. The reference to a DVD has been removed but it is otherwise very similar. The issue of consent is addressed-----

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