Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There could be two women with exactly the same medical condition that risks their health and each of those women could make different decisions. One could decide to proceed with that risk and the other could decide, for her own personal and family reasons, to terminate that pregnancy. I very much think the referendum was about choice, so yes, of course the subjective view of the woman matters, but the reasonable medical opinion of two doctors is also required. It is collaborative in that regard.

I am not in a position to accept this amendment. I believe not defining the word "serious" allows our doctors to make those individual clinical decisions. I believe they are provided with protection by the fact that they are operating as one of two clinicians and they are operating on their reasonable opinion, formed in good faith. Those words matter in that legislation. I am happy to engage further and I have no doubt we will be retuning to this on Report Stage.