Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I concur with Senator Mooney. This section gives certainty in situations that are there at the moment. Let us be quite clear about this. I am voting against the Bill only because I have an issue with section 9. As far as I recall, section 7 or something very similar relating to the protection of the pregnant woman's treatment in hospital was in the Bill introduced in 2002 by the former Minister Micheál Martin. Let us not misrepresent anyone in this regard. Most of this Bill is very satisfactory. It gives certainty and protection, which is what any reasonable person wants. As a parent, that is what I would expect.

Some people think that if one votes against this Bill, one is voting against all sections. That is not true. One has no choice. If one disagrees with a full section, unfortunately, one must in conscience vote against the Bill. One cannot vote against each section. When we come to section 9, we can discuss our reservations about it, which I have. Other than that, I know the intentions of the Minister and the Department of Health, in which I served for a number of years. I know the feeling that exists with regard to this particular situation. There might be a difference of opinion in respect of sections and I respect my colleagues' opinions. I feel that women will feel far more secure when section 7 is made law.