Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Student doctors and nurses are also covered by this section. To be clear, it covers pharmacists as well. I know this because I have campaigned on this issue previously. Right now, there is conscientious objection in respect of the morning-after pill. Young researchers have charted the many obstacles that many young women have faced in trying to access the morning-after pill because there is a right of conscientious objection. Conscientious objection exists and is working. It is already being used. Many of those who object to access to the morning-after pill are among those who may become conscientious objectors in this area as well. My colleague has read into the record the simple requirement that exists right now. They do not have to dispense - they simply need to refer onto another pharmacist. This ensures the path being taken by a woman is not blocked. It ensures an arrow is provided so that she can take another direction and go to a different pharmacist. As my colleague has made clear, students are covered in this legislation. It is really important to note that we need to monitor this measure to ensure undue pressure is not put on young junior doctors in the opposite direction. In Italy, for example, conscientious objection was almost a badge that one was expected to wear to make progress up the ladder within medical institutions. I think we are getting the right balance in this Bill. If we are giving people their freedom of conscience, it is very important that we ensure we do not bring about a situation in which there is de facto pressure on them to sign up to conscientious objection in order to make progress within an institution. This comes back to the wider issue of management and progression in our institutions, which I will not open up now. It is a key concern.

On the other side I would want to ensure that any decision on conscientious objection is made by the individual and is not an expectation of his or her working situation.