Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is current practice in Ireland. I am trying to avoid a situation where any of these private clinics will be allowed to do so. I hear what the Minister of State is saying, but I find it hard from the language used in the Bill which includes the words "by another person pursuant to an arrangement entered into" - it could be a private clinic - not to have a concern about this section. I understand others do not have the same concern, but I know that they are concerned about Marie Stopes in Northern Ireland where there are many debates about it. The Minister of State is probably aware that the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland, Edwin Poots, MLA, was in touch with the Minister for Health about his concerns. He confirmed to me that he was opposed to any relaxation of the law in Northern Ireland on the termination of pregnancy. He stated in his letter that he would have concerns that legislation would open doors inadvertently for others to introduce much more flexibility in allowing abortion, although not intended by the Dáil. I have a copy of a letter sent to the Taoiseach, which states:

We, as individual members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and member of the pro-life group, are therefore concerned that a matter of such importance may be voted upon without the ability of legislators to freely exercise their conscientious objection to this important piece of legislation which, if enacted, will have profound consequences, not just in the Republic but also for Northern Ireland.

There are politicians in Northern Ireland who are seriously concerned about what we are doing. They have done everything possible to prevent Marie Stopes from establishing there. My concern is that under the legislation, as crafted, there is that possibility. I accept that it may not be the intention, but I cannot see how it could be prevented under the phraseology used in the Bill and the Act to which it refers.