Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the Chamber and thank him for his presence here. I will be brief in my contribution.

Following on from the comments of my colleagues, I think it is important that, when we discuss healthcare, we always keep in mind the person at the centre and in this case that is the young woman. We always have to keep that in mind.

Having said that, it is important that we genuinely acknowledge that some people will have an issue with conscientious objection. A number of GPs have been in contact with me, particularly about the phrasing of section 22(3) and the inclusion of the phrase "make such arrangements". There seems to be a degree of confusion there, I hope the Minister will agree, as to what exactly that means. It might be helpful and I would welcome it if the Minister could bring clarity to that. I understand there is some degree of urgency to push this through and everybody had 1 January 2019 in their sights as the date when they would like this to be up and running. It is important to put legislation through both Houses as quickly as possible but it is equally important that, when we do so, we tread carefully and try and bring as many people with it as we can. The phrase "make such arrangements" in section 22(3) deserves clarity that I hope the Minister will bring.

We have constantly been told that there are enough GPs to do the necessary work and, if that is the case, I wonder is there a need for this at all. Perhaps it is something that could be revisited at another stage. We have to be conscious that all GPs, throughout the country, do magnificent work and many of them are under severe pressure.Many patients in places like the place where I come from in rural Ireland have to queue up to get access to general practitioners. Senator Bacik talked about the Coombe Hospital having difficulties in having the service in place by 1 January. As I said earlier, it is important that we progress matters but it is important that we do so while ensuring that any step we take is sound.

At a time when we are talking about choice and equality it is unfortunate that this impasse has arisen. I hope that common sense will prevail and that we will strike a balance to accommodate the rights of all those who genuinely have reason for conscientious objection.