Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I said that in claiming that the Title of the Bill means exactly what it says, the Minister should then have no difficulty accepting my amendment. I left it at that because I felt there was no need to press the case further. I am doing so now because of the Minister's response and, with respect, I am entitled to do so.

I am concerned that a situation will arise where a physically healthy mother presents with a physically healthy baby and is certified as having suicidal intent. All of the evidence from the psychiatrists who presented to the committee hearings was that an abortion would be no treatment for such a woman and her medical condition. That was the clear evidence, even from the pro-choice psychiatrists. One need only study Professor Veronica O'Keane's evidence to the committee to clarify that. What is proposed under section 9 represents a significant change to the law. We are moving from a situation where the saving of the life of the mother sometimes has the unfortunate consequence of the baby dying to one where a physically healthy woman can present and there will now be an intent to kill her unborn baby on some sort of pretence that an abatement of her condition will be thereby achieved. We know the consequences-----