John Gilroy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I would like first to speak to amendment No. 40, which I do not support.

I am taken by the very obvious note of compassion in the comments of the person who moved the amendment. It is commendable, which should be noted, as some of the other comments we have heard have not been as compassionate as they could have been.

With regard to amendment No. 34, I should read the following so there can be no misunderstanding, wilful or otherwise, of what I am saying. Section 9(1)(a)(ii) states: "in their reasonable opinion (being an opinion formed in good faith which has regard to the need to preserve unborn human life as far as practicable) that risk can only be averted by carrying out the medical procedure". The word "only" has been omitted from the debate throughout this day, and if that word is removed, one can interpret sections 7 and 8 to say anything one wishes. When we include the word "only" and read it in the context in which it is plainly written, it is quite clear that the intent of the Bill is limiting.

There are very few women who die by suicide while pregnant, with studies showing two in three years in this country. I believe - Senator Crown may confirm this - that this is the same number that have died from cancer in the same time. It is a very rare occurrence, with one in every 500,000 being the rate in the UK. However, the fact that it is rare does not mean it does not exist. We have heard the soundbite that abortion is not a treatment for suicide. Whoever said this - I do not know who said it-----