Dáil debates

Wednesday, 5 December 2018

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

 

7:15 pm

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

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, as ucht an deis labhairt. The right to conscientious objection is, as has been said a number of times tonight, a fundamental human right. It is one we cannot forget about or dismiss, but that this is what is happening. I fully support the doctors, pharmacists and nurses and all other healthcare professionals who have stood firm on this. They have a right to conscientious objection. GPs are being treated very badly in this whole ordeal, as are other healthcare workers. If they are being more or less forced and bullied into becoming involved in a referral process, that means they are involved in the whole process, in which they want no part. Many of these GPs are dedicated and committed and work long, hard hours. Let us also remember that they are working in difficult conditions because our health service is absolutely disgraceful at present. It is of Third World standard in some areas.

These doctors and nurses are working in difficult conditions every day. They are being told that they have to be involved in a process to which they have a genuine conscientious objection. That is not right and needs to change. We hear much talk in this Chamber about choice, equality, respect and democracy. When it comes to the crunch, unfortunately, none of these is to be seen. This is another example of that.

The group of doctors who organised the petition of more than 640 GPs that led to Sunday's emergency general meeting, EGM, of the Irish College of General Practitioners, ICGP, claimed that several hundred GPs have lost confidence in the ICGP board and that a serious crisis now exists. The Government can longer ignore this crisis in the rolling out of GP-led abortion services. I will read from their press statement after the EGM. I am sure the Minister has a copy. It gives us an insight into what is happening. I, and many other Deputies in this Chamber, met many of these GPs some months ago and they expressed their concerns to us. They are very upset and angry but they also are strong in their resolve. There is no way they will allow themselves to be forced on this issue.

The press statement states: "Hundreds of GPs on the ground do not believe general practice is the appropriate setting in which to deliver abortion services because of lack of capacity in an already overstretched environment, lack of training and availability of ultrasound, and delivering on genuine freedom of conscience protections for doctors who do not want to be involved in overseeing abortions taking place." They do not want to be involved in any part of that process. The first time GPs heard that abortion services would be GP-led was when the Minister announced it on radio. Imagine treating our doctors like that. They work hard every day in a creaking health service. The disrespect they have been shown is appalling.

From that day to this, GPs have not been consulted on the matter. From 1 January, however, the Minister will impose abortion services on general practice. GPs will face the full rigours of the law from the new year if they conscientiously object to becoming involved in any way. That is disgraceful in this day and age when we are talking about the new Ireland and the new republic. It is some new republic if we are to bully and marginalise people simply because they have conscientious objections. Fair play to those GPs for standing firm. They are entitled to do that.

I do not know whether the Minister realises that this crisis will lead to a mass exodus of GPs. It was stated here that there are enough GPs. I and many others do not share that belief and I will explain the reason. In rural counties such as Laois and Offaly, it is getting very hard to recruit and retain GPs in many of our towns and villages. This has been an ongoing issue and many Deputies, on both sides of the debate, have raised the issue of the chronic shortage of GPs in rural counties. The Minister will cause a mass exodus and that will put the health of many people in jeopardy.

Many people are already suffering and languishing on long waiting lists. The Minister will now add to that problem by trying to bully the GPs, pharmacists and nurses who want no part in this process. I stand with those people. They are entitled to their conscientious objection and I support them fully. It is shameful that respect is only given if a certain view is held. That is some democracy in this new republic. As an Irish woman, I am absolutely ashamed at times that we think it is okay to marginalise people and to dismiss their concerns if they do not share our views. That is not right. I stand in full support of those healthcare professionals. I hope the Minister will see sense, see the light and treat them properly.

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