Results 1,741-1,760 of 8,196 for speaker:Alice-Mary Higgins

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It is an historic moment. This is an issue that has spanned many decades of Irish life. Like others, I applaud those who took a very difficult stance in 1983 in highlighting the concerns, dangers and consequences for women that would come about with the introduction of the eighth amendment. Even if our recent referendum was difficult, the 1983 referendum was extremely difficult for those...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Section 10 already has a higher bar built in. Paragraph 10(1)(b) states these actions are taken only if "it is immediately necessary to carry out the termination of pregnancy in order to avert that risk".

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We are on amendment No. 15. The key phrase is "immediately necessary". I refer to where termination of the pregnancy is the necessary and only step that can be taken to avert the risk to the life or serious health of the mother in an emergency. Therefore, the bar is already very high. Unfortunately, if we were to accept the amendment, the immediate action to be taken to avert the risk to...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I support amendments Nos. 4 and 18. I will also speak on amendment No. 5, which I have tabled. The key point is the voice of the woman. We had one of the great outcomes for Irish society from what was, at times, a very difficult referendum. This was the ending of a very long silencing of women on their experiences and the decisions they often had to make about which they could not speak...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: It says "where possible" and it is in addition to an examination, in the case of most of the amendments.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: The other amendment has been withdrawn.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 5:In page 8, line 21, after “woman” to insert “where necessary, and consulted where possible”. I will withdraw this amendment in support of amendment No. 4 which may be reintroduced on Report Stage. I urge the Minister to engage with amendment No. 4 which has the preponderance of support in the House. Elements of his response on the...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: That is fine, I will be very brief. I think my colleague has said that we are not simply talking about symbolic things here and sending a signal and the heads of the Bill and what we promised the people. We are talking about very real situations for women and their health and that is where we are coming from. I would point out again that my colleague, Senator Ruane, ensured we would have...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I think this is different to some of the other concerns in this section. As the Minister described it, I became more concerned. He described the word "avert" as very hardline. The Minister spoke of avoiding, preventing, stopping or turning aside. I am worried, as other Senators are, about many scenarios. I refer to the example of an 80% risk of serious harm that is going to be reduced to...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Which amendment?

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I would be happy to meet the Minister on this matter and take up his offer to provide written assurances in this regard because this is an area of concern. I support amendment No. 20, which makes clear recommendations in relation to obstetricians. The language used for making arrangements for the carrying out of the procedure is reasonable. The Minister referred to prescription. Are...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I am just pointing out that amendment No. 20 relates to the section on conditions likely to lead to the death of a foetus. These are situations in which persons may be receiving news in a very short space of time and may receive it twice in a very short time. While the Minister has emphasised the relationship between the obstetrician and the woman in question, that might not be the most...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I move amendment No. 22:In page 9, line 36, to delete "carried out" and substitute "initiated".

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: We will debate the Finance Bill later today. As is often the case, particularly with Finance Bills, I was disappointed to have a number of my proposals for areas that should be looked at and debated ruled out of order either because they were considered to be a potential charge on the State, did not arise out of Committee Stage or were not relevant. I know this is a decision of the...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Very serious words are being used in this context. It is not appropriate.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I will be extremely brief. Ultrasounds are an invasive procedure but there are many situations in which that invasive procedure is justified on medical grounds. This is why people have these procedures for medical reasons. This is covered by "examination" in terms of the Bill whereby an ultrasound is required as part of the examination.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: I do not mind speaking over it while the situation is being resolved. In terms of the examination, ultrasound is already covered where it is medically required, but that is not what the amendment is doing. What the amendment is stating is there would be situations in which a woman may believe she has been offered an ultrasound by the doctor because it is medically necessary but in fact it...

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: -----on which the procedure would be offered. It is also deeply impractical because at present we have a situation whereby we know there are significant shortages in parts of Cork and other areas. Women are waiting until very late for anomaly scans that may be necessary in terms of perinatal care and ensuring the protection of a baby after birth. Ultrasounds should be medically necessary....

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)

Alice-Mary Higgins: This section refers to services for women in accordance with the Act of 2018. This point has been addressed previously but I am asking for reassurance so I can avoid tabling amendments on Report Stage in this regard. The Minister mentioned that in the interpretation of women, because it is confined to services for women, he is using the Interpretation Act 2005 and its recognition regarding...