Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Bill allows all of those procedures because they are simply not circumscribed. I want to put the following on the record, I did it the last day, I did it during the health committee hearings and I would do it again. I agree with Senator Colm Burke that there is a great commitment to the life of the mother and the baby here. We have a proud tradition in the two patient model that Senator Healy Eames referred to and our excellent maternal health record is on a par with the best international comparators. We are about to change the culture of our medical profession by introducing abortions where they are not necessary and there is no evidence that they will, in any way, contribute to either mental illness or the suicidal intent of the mother.

I wonder if Members have read my amendment. I know that there have been attempts at obfuscation regarding the issue. Many Members may be challenged personally, with their conscience, on what he or she is doing but many may not.