Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

During the discussion of this issue in the Dáil, the very exceptional situation whereby the father of a girl aged under 16 is responsible for the pregnancy was raised. It was again referred to by Senator Norris. Some Members oppose the amendment on the basis that it could empower the rapist in such very extreme situations to influence the girl's decision. Such situations are unquestionably horrendous, but it must be borne in mind that the amendment concerns the notification of the parents about a termination, rather than their consent to it. The duty to notify may be set aside by the High Court in certain circumstances. We will streamline that aspect of the amendment for re-introduction on Report Stage. The amendment is proposed as an addition to rather than replacement for the current section of the Bill which provides that nothing in the Bill will affect any enactment or rule of law relating to consent to medical treatment.

All Members will agree that parents should have an involvement in a procedure as serious as this being undertaken by a child. A 30-year longitudinal study carried out by Fergusson suggests that abortion may have serious negative mental health consequences for some women. In the case of-----