David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise an issue that has been brought to my attention by the Rape Crisis Network Ireland. I imagine the Minister will agree with me that those involved are really at the coalface in dealing with the situation day after day, so they must be listened to with particular attention. They are concerned about access to care for survivors of rape. They make the serious point that some of the people seeking abortion after rape under the narrow ground of section 9 will be survivors of rape who, for one reason or another, did not meet the 12 weeks situation. The network representatives maintain the term "serious" is not defined and that it is not clear what kind of suffering would be sufficient to meet the statutory threshold. Certifying medical practitioners have no legal obligation to consider the woman's assessment of relevant risks to her life or health, which is a critical matter for rape survivors. It is possible that this ground will only be applied where doctors foresee a risk to life. Since this has come from Rape Crisis Network Ireland, it is something we have to take seriously. We must not inhibit people who have been raped from getting access to these services.