Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I refer to amendment No. 17, on which we are co-signatories. As Senator Ruane said, we did discuss this at length with the Minister yesterday and we debated it at length on Committee Stage. It is critical that section 12's three-day waiting period does not become an insurmountable barrier to some women. It is critical that in guidelines, doctors are given great clarity as to the linkage between section 12, the early pregnancy section, and section 10, that of the risk to life or health in an emergency. As Senator Ruane noted, the question of how this will work in practice with doctors is crucial. We must ensure that doctors, and everyone else, understand that section 10 applies at any point in the pregnancy before the end of the 12-week period, so that it will work in parallel with section 12. That is very important for those of us with concerns about the three-day waiting period. We would prefer if it was not in the legislation but we are trying to do the best we can to ensure that it does not become an insurmountable barrier to some women in the sort of circumstances that Senator Ruane so eloquently described.

When we come to amendment No. 14, Senator Norris has asked that I withdraw it on his behalf.