Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be very brief as amendment No. 13 is a technical amendment that would have been consequential on a previous amendment, which was either defeated at Committee Stage or ruled out of order for Report Stage.

On the other amendments in this section, we have had a very good engagement through both Houses, including the last day, on this subject. I know and very much respect that there are different views on the three-day waiting period but it is sensible that people are discussing how it will operate and work in practice.

It may seem obvious but something that should not be lost in this debate is that this is not the only ground on which someone can access a termination legally in our country under this legislation. It is one ground - a wide ground - to support women in early pregnancy without them being obliged to give their reason and that trusts the woman to make the decision that is best for her and for her family at that stage of early pregnancy. There are obviously other grounds beyond that. The one that has come most into focus in discussions on groups living in disadvantaged areas, vulnerable groups and so on, as Senator Ruane so eloquently made the point, is the emergency head, which is an important provision in that regard. I take very seriously, as do the clinicians who met the Senator and her colleague yesterday, the importance of ensuring that GPs and medical professionals more broadly are trained in the advocacy to which Senator Ruane referred and of how women know of the emergency provision and how it operates. I will raise it in my engagements with the medical colleges as they prepare both their training programme and clinical guidelines. I very much welcome Senator Ruane's ongoing support and engagement on this issue.

I cannot accept the amendment regarding conscientious objection for several reasons but primarily because the legislation states clearly that the certification needs to take place before the three-day period commences.

I worry about the consequences it would have, therefore, throughout the legislation beyond this amendment. We have taken every effort to minimise conscientious objection being a barrier, while respecting the right of people to hold it. Let me be clear on that on the record of the House.We know, however, that women do not operate in the way in which some people have tried to characterise them during this debate. Women will not be going around from doctor to doctor in the hope of finding medical assistance. There will be the 24-7 helpline, thewww.myoptions.iewebsite and advocacy groups will have to be informed of these new provisions. That is to minimise the possibility of a woman ever having to come across the awfully undesirable situation for her where she is asking for help and the doctor states that he or she is not in a position to do so or is not willing to do so. I believe we can significantly overcome the issues, from an access point of view, in respect of conscientious objection through the measures we have taken and the measures our medical community and clinical leaders are actively taking.