Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Burke. We heard here that the medical profession has to date done everything to save the lives of both patients in these scenarios. Above all, they seek to do no harm. However, we are changing the culture of the medical profession. We are asking them now to kill the unborn. It is a significant cultural change and it has taken place in every single country where abortion has been introduced.

I am somewhat persuaded by Senator Keane's point that giving carte blanche indemnity to everybody is not a good principle, although we are probably doing it anyway. We will continue to have for a decade and perhaps beyond significant pressures on public expenditure, in particular in the health area. Hospitals are under pressure now and will be under increased pressure. That creates a situation in which people will not wish to incur liability claims. That leads me to one conclusion with regard to the application of the Bill and it worries me, in particular when the culture of the medical profession is being changed.