Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I concede that I have found this issue extremely challenging. I said yesterday that I had had a deep sense of commitment to a pro-life ethos from natural conception to natural death. In fact, I debated the issue in 1983 in New Ross with then Senator Michael D. Higgins, now our Uachtarán. We need to inform ourselves. I attended the National Women's Council meeting which heard from those ladies who had gone through the terrible situation of having pregnancies with fatal foetal abnormalities and travelled to England for abortions. Some things did not impress me, but some did hit me hard. I was not impressed by the fact that several people - perhaps they were from the National Women's Council, not the women themselves - said this was the first step toward achieving a more liberal abortion regime in Ireland, to changing our laws.

The second point that did not impress me - I said this on the day, I am not just saying it now - was that several of the women had saidtheir biggest regret was that they had to travel to England for a termination. There was one particular young couple who I could see were really hurting as a consequence of losing their baby. I empathised with them because, unfortunately, I think on our third child, we had had a miscarriage. I saw clearly the impact it had had on our household and the trauma and upset it had caused, particularly to my wife. Therefore, I could empathise with that couple who in their predicament had been faced with the question of what to do. I did not have any particular answer to guide them. I did not see it as my place to judge anybody in that appalling situation, one in which none of us would wish to be. It is distressing for anybody but probably more so for a couple on their first child.

Subsequently, I went to listen to One Day More. The people involved in both groups who told their stories were very courageous. It is very difficult to share one's personal experiences in public, but they did so and spoke about the reaction when they had heard the news which must have been devastating for everybody. They also spoke about carrying the baby to the end of gestation and being in a position, perhaps in some instances for only minutes or hours, to be able to hold the baby. They spoke about how that had helped them in the grieving process. I was taken by this.

Subsequently representatives of Women Hurt came in. It is a pity that everybody does not open himself or herself to the experience of hearing both sides in these debates. That is imperative. I know many people have but not everybody has. If we are making legislation - I have strong views on the issue - there is an obligation on me to expose myself to the counter arguments and viewpoints and I have tried to do so to the best of my ability. One particular mother in Women Hurt told her story. She had brought her disabled daughter, aged 12 years, with her. That presents a challenge to us all. That mother was advised that she should have an abortion because of the fatal foetal abnormality diagnosed at the time, but she decided not to have one. I respect the fact that others - women and fathers - make different decisions in these situations. However, when I looked at that 12 year old, I had to ask myself whether her life had a value. Do I or does the Minister or anybody else have the right to introduce legislation to legalises the killing of that life before it gets to see the light of day? The answer is no.

I support those who have talked about perinatal hospices. I would like to think there are people in the Department who are not just advocating their own ideology but are, in fact, trying to ensure the services are available for those who need them.

It is clear from the Joint Committee on Health and Children hearings that the biggest threat to a woman's life, as enunciated by every medical person, obstetrician, gynaecologist, and psychiatrist who appeared before the committee, was the lack and dearth of services. The lack of resources was the single biggest threat. That is on the record of those committees for all to see. I do not deny that I find the arguments made by Senators who have a different perspective from me, extremely challenging. I acknowledge and concede that.

On the issue of rape, I have listened to what people have had to say and it is very difficult. Rape is a heinous crime. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, of which I am a member, examines human rights issues. Right across conflict areas, rape is systematically used as part of the war campaign. It is obnoxious to any decent human being. I attended meetings recently in respect of the International Criminal Court. We should ensure that people in those situations are brought to justice regardless of the regimes they serve. The laws in Ireland and the administration of justice in this area constantly need to be updated in order that those who commit that crime are held to account.

I applaud, in particular, Senator Fidelma Healy Eames. She has shown tremendous courage not only in recent weeks but in recent months and in the past year. I agreed with much of what Senator Averil Power had to say on this issue. When people give of their home and their love to take in and adopt others, that is probably the greatest expression of Christian charity that I can identify. It is fantastic. Many of those parents would say, those children are a blessing to them. Equally, they bring great blessings to those children.

As challenged as I am on the issue, we had Women Hurt attend our parliamentary party meeting. A significant number of the members of the parliamentary party attended that briefing. There were three women with whom we debated and discussed the issue, all of whom had abortions and all spoke of their experience and all appealed to us not to introduce legislation. They mentioned the trauma and torment they have suffered as a consequence, some of which I alluded to yesterday, based on an English doctor's booklet which he published. They appealed for supports for women who find themselves in a terrible predicament, which an unwanted pregnancy can be. At the end, when we were just about to leave, some of our members raised the issue of rape. One young woman then said:

My mother was raped, I am the product of that rape. Are you saying to me, that my life is not as valuable of yours or that or anybody else?

I attended the pro-life vigil outside the Houses in December or January when a reasonable crowd attended. I was introduced to a man of senior years whose mother had been raped and he was the product of that rape. He was with his son and grandson. None of those three people would be alive today if we are to go the route advocated by some people on rape. They are very difficult situations and there are no easy answers. While I recognise this is a time of scarce fiscal resources I appeal to the Minister to put in place the necessary supports to help women through these very difficult experiences that arise in order to get them and their unborn child to a happier place. Ireland in 21st century should surely be able to achieve that.