Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Without this amendment, an abortion can and will be performed right up to the point of viability on the basis of risks that can be averted in other ways. It can happen simply because a doctor considers the abortion to be "appropriate", even though it is in no way necessary. That is where subjectivity enters into this issue. The word "necessary" brings objectivity rather than subjectivity to this element of the legislation under the review committee in section 16. That is why the amendment is so important.