David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is what the Bill is about.

This legislation is 20 years overdue. I cannot support any amendment which seeks to delay its enactment by 90 days, 60 days, 30 days, one day or even one minute. We have already waited far too long and it must now be implemented. The Bill reflects the decision of the people in two referenda and decisions by the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights. It is limited and specific in its provisions. It does not legalise abortion on demand, a term I do like to use. Rather, its main function is to safeguard the lives of women in extreme circumstances and give certainty to the medical profession. The legislation also spells out clearly the right to life of the unborn and the obligations of medical practitioners in that regard. Unfortunately, the Bill does not deal with the issues of fatal foetal abnormalities or pregnancies which occur as a result of incest or rape. They are very difficult issues which must be faced up to by the State. These omissions are regrettable, but I accept that their inclusion would require constitutional change.

I support the Bill as a step forward by the State into the 21st century on this issue. As legislators, we have a duty to deal with societal realities. It is not good enough for us to ignore the fact that for some women, all of these issues are very real and a part of their stories. The X case and the A, B and C case are not just letters of the alphabet. These were real women who found themselves in terrible circumstances and with no protection from the State. We have a duty to do the right thing by the women of Ireland, who are our mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, cousins and friends. We have an obligation to all these women to support the Bill. I respect everybody's opinion, but the talk from people on the opposite side of floodgates opening is an appalling indictment of their view of women in this State, a view which says that women would manipulate the suicide provision or any other issue to obtain an abortion. That view must be challenged.