Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I rise to add my voice in support of this legislation and to welcome this debate. Is Ireland a piece of land or is it its people? If our answer is the people, then, whether we like it or not, abortion is a part of life in Ireland. Whether one is pro-life or pro-choice, there is no getting away from that. Although abortion might not be legally permissible in this country, it is a reality for the four thousand Irish women who make the long and lonely journey to the UK each year to avail of abortions there. We need also to be aware that any Irish woman who has access to the Internet can purchase pills online which will induce the end of her pregnancy. Abortion is an everyday occurrence in Ireland and is a reality for women the length and breadth of this country.

I say that not to imply that I, in any way, support the provision of abortion on demand, nor would I ever do so. I say it because some of the people contributing to this debate need to stop acting like ostriches and take their heads out of the sand. To listen to some of the arguments from those on the pro-life side of the argument, one would be led to assume that Ireland is abortion-free, a place where no abortions are ever carried out and where the means by which a woman can procure an abortion are beyond reach. The reality is, as we know, incredibly different.

That is why this Bill, however limited in its scope, seeks to bring some clarity to the situation and to fill the vacuum in law that has existed since the 1992 X case judgment. It seeks to give medical professionals legal clarity when they are faced with life-saving decisions, difficult and harrowing decisions in their daily lives as doctors, gynaecologists and obstetricians. This morning I had a telephone call from a midwife who claims that the decision will fall on them. This cannot be allowed to happen. Decisions must be made by the consultant.

It is easy to forget that, as women, we place all of our trust in medical professionals when we are vulnerable and in need of medical help during pregnancy. I want to know that if a doctor treating my daughter, my daughter-in-law or any woman is faced with a crucial decision which they need to take in the best interests of the mother and the unborn, that they can do so with the best possible legal and legislative protection for their actions. I say this as a mother and a woman who has known the pain of having lost a baby. I was very glad of those medical professionals’ help when I needed it.

The reality is that every day medical professionals are faced with life and death decisions. It is easy to forget that. In a moment, they often have to decide quickly on how best to protect the lives of their patients and those decisions are not always simple. Life is not simple.

Through all of this debate, I have often thought of one such situation that sometimes, although rarely, faces medical professionals, namely, the case of Siamese twins. We have all read of situations where one twin has been spared through the sad and awful loss of another. The saving of one life, instead of losing both, often means the loss of another. Medical professionals are also often faced with the difficult decision of who will be the recipient of an organ donation. Do they give it to someone with a disability or to someone, who with it, could lead a long and healthy life? My point is that in medicine, as in life, nothing is simple. Nothing is black and white. Sometimes, hard and difficult decisions have to be made, decisions that some may think are incorrect but are necessary to save lives.

For years, women were treated as second-class citizens. They were not allowed to vote or to sit on juries. They were victims of physical and sexual abuse, as seen in the Magdalen laundries, or subjected to medical abuse, as in the case of symphysiotomy. Many women who went to their local clergy for help in domestic violence were told they had made their beds and would have to lie in them. Where was the compassion and humanity during those times?

Thankfully, we have come a long way. However, there are those who feel they have a right to have a say when women are in danger of losing their lives over a medical condition brought on by pregnancy or in the more controversial case of a pregnant woman or young girl who is suicidal because of the pregnancy. We all know the different reasons why women feel like that. Obviously, there will be suicidal women who are pregnant but that is a different story.

I put my trust in the medical professionals who have spent years training and who will, first and foremost, do everything possible to save both mother and baby. Only as a last resort and following consultation with other professionals will the termination of the pregnancy take place.

I also put my trust in women that only those who really are suicidal will present. I have listened to the hearings, the ongoing debates, the radio interviews, read the Bill and newspapers, as well as meeting with delegations from both sides of the argument. I have heard the argument there is no need for the suicidal clause to be included in this Bill, saying that it only happened in a minute number of cases. If that is the case, then there is no need for concern as it will only apply in a minute number of cases. What sane woman would pretend to be suicidal and put herself through the intensive process of proving she is suicidal just to have an abortion? That same woman could travel to England and have one over there without putting herself through the tight process here. Today, if a woman presents as suicidal, then the medical professionals will do all they can to help this woman through this difficult time. I have no doubt they will follow on with the same process following the passing of this Bill.

My final point relates to conscience. To listen to some people on the anti-abortion side of this argument one would be forgiven for thinking that they are the only ones with consciences. Let me assure them that, like many others, I have wrestled long and hard with my conscience. The pro-life campaign - and may I add that I consider myself pro-life, a supporter of the life both of the mother and the unborn - would have us believe that it has a monopoly on conscience. It does not and I think it is unfair to suggest so.

There is no doubt that this is a very emotive subject. My conscience has influenced my conclusion that we as a Legislature need to provide our medical personnel with a clear and proper legal foundation in their work, particularly when it comes to treating a pregnant woman with suicidal tendencies. I believe that this Bill does that and I urge Members to support it.