Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Technically, my point is correct.

I listened back to the doctor. I have the utmost respect for all of these doctors. They have their own opinion and they are entitled to it, just as I am entitled to my opinion and the Minister is entitled to his. I know the Minister has a difficult job to do and this is not an easy piece of legislation to steer through both Houses. We all have an opinion. I have the greatest respect for those who stand up and have a pro-choice argument to make. At least they are here and making the argument. They are exercising their right. I am not trying to make political points. I am trying to articulate facts. The facts are important.

If there is a loophole in the legislation or an unintended consequence, where one can have screening at nine weeks, a result back in two or four days, confirming whether that baby may or may not have Down's syndrome with a 99.9% accuracy rate, then would the Minister not concede that some babies who have Down's syndrome will be aborted and the legislation will actually facilitate that? If that is the case, that is a loophole in the legislation. It is a shortcoming that needs to be addressed. The only way of addressing it is by way of accepting this amendment. To do otherwise is to do a disservice. We are willing to sit down with the officials between now and Report Stage, if the Minister is willing to work with us on this. Otherwise, we will have to press this amendment, which we do not want to do. We are trying to be helpful. I understand the Minister has a job to do, but we have a job to do as well. We will try to do it in a respectful manner.