Seanad debates

Monday, 10 December 2018

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed)

 

2:00 pm

Photo of Brian Ó DomhnaillBrian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is amazing what the objective is here. I refer to removing rights that are not already there. The rights of the unborn child, unfortunately, have been eroded by this legislation. There is no question about that, regardless of what side of the argument we are on. We should, at least, agree to that. I was speaking in respect of amendments Nos. 8 and 9. Amendments Nos. 16 and 17 refer to section 10 of the Bill. I have three primary concerns with both of these amendments. They would erode the protection of the unborn child at every stage of pregnancy. That includes right up to complete emergence from the body of the woman. In addition, it would only require one doctor to certify, as is the case under section 10. My third concern is that no one, including the nurses, the midwives or any of the healthcare professionals, would have any protection in the Bill from being expected to take part in an abortion under section 10. That goes back to the conscientious issue, which will be dealt with later. I have some concerns on any further dilution of that in the Bill. I heard the Minister state that he is willing to engage. That is welcome because engaging with all sides is the parliamentary process. I hope that courtesy would be extended to our own pro-life side as well and not just to the pro-choice side. We are available to engage if some of our amendments were amenable.

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