Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

An abortion can be very emotional and can have long-lasting psychological consequences that can be serious. When the immaturity of a child is taken into that realm, then those consequences can be even more extreme, given that the girl will not have reached full emotional and mental maturity. That is why Senator Mullen outlined the Tusla rationale. That is important and it establishes the State's recognition of our amendment.

In addition to that, we outlined in some detail on Committee Stage that other European countries also recognise this in the area of abortion. I understand that according to the World Health Organization, 21 other European countries which responded to a 2016 World Health Organization survey confirmed that legal access to abortion is only available to minors under 18 with parental consent. Across the Atlantic in the United States, 40 state parental involvement laws are in effect. I understand that 26 states require parental consent for minors seeking abortions and that ten states require parental notice for minors seeking abortions.

Our amendment is grounded in best international practice and we feel that it is important. There are obviously difficulties with the issue, as mentioned by Senator Mullen, in cases where a child may have been abused by a parent and that is dealt with in the amendment. This amendment is considered, it is important and I encourage the Minister again to accept it. So much of the abortion debate in this country on the pro-abortion side was fuelled from international practice, but it seems that same international practice is being ignored when it provides for more humane elements to be brought into the law. That is regrettable.