Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In reference to the amendments tabled on the issue of life, particularly amendments Nos. 6 to 8, inclusive, the one thing that is very apparent in the legislation - indeed, in its Title, the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill - is that it contains no legal definition of "life". What exactly are we protecting if we are not protecting life? Perhaps that is something the Minister of State could clarify. The people have a right to know what is being protected within the Bill.

The legal definition of life, which holds the same meaning as it does under natural law, is life "from conception until natural death". That is as contained in natural law. I have sought legal clarification from the Attorney General's Office on this issue. I wrote to that office on 4 July, forwarding an opinion of Senior Counsel on the issue, and asked questions. I requested in writing that before the Bill came to the Seanad legal clarification should be provided to me, such as I am entitled to receive as a Member of the Oireachtas. I have a copy of the letter I sent to the Attorney General's Office. All I received on 9 July was an acknowledgment-----