Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I find myself in agreement with most of what Senator Norris has said. I repeat the question for the Minister of State. Can he tell me where in the Bill there is protection outlined for the unborn, if this is the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill? We all know that in pregnancy there are two lives involved, that of the mother and that of the unborn. My understanding is, as Senator Bacik stated on the radio this morning, that most abortions occur in the first trimester. I agree with her. I cannot see mentioned anywhere in the Bill how that life will be protected in the first trimester, or in the second, for that matter. Can the Minister point to this in the Bill?

I refer also to the point made by my colleague, which is absolutely correct, that in 2001, the Bill introduced by a previous Government used the term "protection of human life". The change in the Title is not significant but the Senator will be aware there is a huge and significant change in the intent of the Bill.

Suicidal intent was excluded from the Bill. That is the core of the objection, as no reasonable person objects to a mother's life being protected and saved where it is medically at risk during pregnancy, but there is no evidence whatever to suggest that a mother's life is in any way assisted by aborting her baby at a time when she has suicidal intent.