David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is disingenuous to assert that people's support for this section is because of ideology. Many Senators who have different social and political ideologies on a range of issues support this section because it is concerned with the reality for women. This situation happens and we have a responsibility to deal with those women's circumstances.

I wish to provide some clarity about what the section does and what the amendment would do if accepted. I will seek clarity from the Minister of State, but my understanding is that this issue relates to the Supreme Court judgment, which was made on the back of a referendum in which a clear proposition was put to the people, who described what they wanted.

The Bill is also clear in that it refers to a real and substantial risk to the life of a mother, including suicide. Are we claiming that suicide is any less of a risk than any other medical illness that a woman may have, for example, a heart problem? This is the nub of the problem. We must also be deeply conscious of the impact our opinion has on the issue of suicide, as discussed by many Senators when they touched on it. The section formalises existing law on the basis of the Supreme Court judgment and a referendum expressing the will of the people.

Accepting the amendment would make the Bill unconstitutional, as we would be removing the provision covering a real risk to the life of a mother. The legislation would fail a constitutional test.

Not a single person inside or outside the Seanad believes that abortion is a suitable treatment for suicide. To claim otherwise is deeply offensive to Senators who support the section and the Bill. It is simply not true. A range of options are available to medical professionals if a woman presents as suicidal. To claim that we are offering abortion as the only solution is disingenuous and wrong.

Everyone accepts that suicide is an extremely emotive issue. In some way, we have all been touched by suicide. I doubt there is a person in this Chamber who does not know someone who has died from suicide, be it a relative, close friend or someone in the community. We have been brought down many culs-de-sac by the Bill's opponents. When I hear arguments to the effect that, if accepted, the Bill would open up the floodgates to abortion on demand, they devalue the issue of suicide as well as women. To propose that tens of thousands of women will queue up for obstetricians and psychiatrists and use the threat of suicide to get abortions is disingenuous. For this reason, I question the motives of some of those who have made this argument.

Many people have genuine concerns about the question of suicide.

I accept that. I have spoken to many people who support the Bill but have concerns about the suicide aspect of it. The core purpose of this Bill is the protection of women. While it also seeks to protect the unborn its main purpose is the protection of women where there is real and substantial risk to their lives. There are circumstances wherein a woman is suicidal and medical professionals have to make the judgment that a termination may be necessary. That is the reality which we as legislators must face up to. I propose to do so by supporting the Bill this evening.