Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is not uncommon. It has happened in many instances.

The most eminent expert on suicide in Ireland, and recognised internationally, is Professor Kevin Malone. During the hearings, he told us that there was a real risk that legislating for the small number of women who commit suicide could have an adverse affect on women of child bearing age who are suicidal but not pregnant and also on young males. Professor Malone stated that 2 in 1 million women in pregnancy and 350 in 1 million young males will commit suicide. These are real and genuine concerns.

All of the psychiatrists who appeared before the hearings, some of whom were on the pro-choice side and others of whom were on the pro-life side, stated that there is no way of being accurate in predictions. We were informed that a study in Britain found that of 100 people predicted to commit suicide 97% did not. The expert advice is that any person who presents with suicidal ideation should be treated in accordance with best practice in the psychiatric field.

Another issue that arose towards the end of the debate, for which I am sure the Minister of State was present, is the presentation of women with suicidal intent who are mentally ill. A psychiatrist assesses the predicament of women in this regard. It was also stated by some experts that in their judgment the number of women who will present with suicidal intent and do not have a mental illness will be high and that because of our mental health legislation these women will be offered treatment but are entitled to refuse it. Therefore, the only treatment remaining, if the woman requests it, will be the abortion she seeks. This presents real dangers. The experts believe the largest number of cases will be in this area.

People have spoken about trusting women and so on. While many groups with different perspectives took part in the hearings, it is a pity more people did not engage in the process. One woman who has had an abortion was in touch with me yesterday to confirm what she said during the meeting in the AV Room. The woman concerned is an Irish woman who was pregnant and in the British Army. She was advised by people in the British forces who are senior to her that there would be adverse consequences of her not having an abortion and that it would affect her career. Her boyfriend, who is also in the Army, was adamant that she should have the abortion. When she sought advice, she was told that she should in her interest seek the abortion on the grounds of being suicidal because it would fast-track her abortion.

During the hearings I quoted at length from Bernard Nathanson's book, Aborting America (Double Day 1979). It states that the supposed threat of suicide was the logical battering ram and, that "It was a question of finding a squad of complacent psychiatrists". Many people have written books on this issue. We also met with Women Hurt who told of the advice they had been given in order to secure an abortion. They told us that because of the pressure they were under, the distress they were in and their unwanted pregnancy they would have said or done anything to secure that abortion. I believe them. I have no reason not to. I also have no reason to disbelieve that there will be other women in the future who will find themselves in similar positions and will take the same route.

The late Dr. Anthony Clare who was pro-choice at the time of the 1992 referendum supported the 2002 amendment to the Constitution, having changed his opinion. He is on record as saying that suicide was the wedge through which liberal abortion regimes were introduced.