Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Nobody has a monopoly on compassion, conscience or morality on these issues. I would never purport to have. The debate during the past eight to ten months in the media and by Government spokesperson has exploited tragic situations and used them in order to introduce legislation which is unnecessary. I pressed the Minister this morning on what medical procedures would be carried out. I was one of a number of members who attended the health committee hearings but the evidence presented before those hearings was very clear and unambiguous. The evidence in relation to section 9 was clear that the introduction of abortion on the grounds of suicidal intent would do nothing for a woman with suicidal intent.