Referendum on legislative proposals on abortion urged

The Oireachtas was yesterday urged by Prof John Bonnar, chairman of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, to put legislative proposals on abortion to the people in a referendum.

Prof Bonnar gave his views to the all-party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, which began its public hearings on abortion. They are being held in the Seanad chamber in Leinster House and continue today with further medical evidence.

Asked by Senator Denis O'Donovan (FF) if there was need for a referendum or legislation to clarify the situation, Prof Bonnar said: "I think there would be some concern in the professions, certainly among obstetricians and gynaecologists, about the X case judgment. There is concern that it did not seem to be made on the basis of expert medical evidence. There is a degree of discomfort, as it were, relating to that particular interpretation of the 1983 amendment.

"You are the legislators . . . I think it is quite clear to me that some legislation is going to be required. But I think it is also clear to me that the Irish people are very, very concerned about this. It strikes me . . . and I understand there may be a way in which heads of legislation can be put to the people . . . but it is a very, very important situation in Ireland. I think the Irish people are going to request that whatever you decide has to be done, that they would wish to approve it."

He added that there was a lack of clarity since the Supreme Court made its judgment in the X case. "That is not an interpretation that was expected in the medical profession."

Senator Fergus O'Dowd (FG) suggested the interpretation the Supreme Court could put on another referendum, if it were passed, could theoretically put into limbo the practices of the medical profession.

Prof Bonnar said: "I personally think it is going to be difficult to get a wording. We already have an example of that, where the people voted for a wording . . . and another interpretation was made of it. If legislation can be produced, which is in accord with what was intended in the 1983 referendum, and that is approved by the people . . . I cannot see a simple soundbite of a half-dozen words covering the complexity of this situation."

Asked by the committee chairman, Mr Brian Lenihan TD (FF), what context legislation would be enacted, he said it would relate to "the practicalities of protecting the life of the unborn and the mother". The aim, he said, was to provide the best possible care for pregnant women. "I still believe that legislation can be enacted which puts into practice what are the actualities of dealing with the 1983 referendum."

Replying to Ms Liz McManus TD (Lab) Prof Bonnar disagreed that there was already abortion in the State. "We had a Supreme Court judgment in the X case, but that did not change the practice. There are no abortions being done in Ireland for psychiatric reasons."

Prof Bonnar said that by far the overwhelming demand for abortion was for social reasons. "We, as obstetricians, whose lives are specifically dedicated, and trained in the care of pregnant women, are not prepared to accept the taking of the life of the baby for social reasons. We do not think that is part of our business."