Independent Cork South West Deputy Michael Collins is planning to table an amendment to the abortion Bill to ensure disability is not an acceptable reason for abortion.
INDEPENDENT Cork South West Deputy Michael Collins is planning to table an amendment to the abortion Bill to ensure disability is not an acceptable reason for abortion.
However, he has pledged that he respects democracy and says that pending clarity he gets from government, the amendment may very well be withdrawn and isn’t designed as a ‘delaying tactic or a game.’ The Bill is due to be brought to Cabinet on July 10th and will be discussed by TDs on July 11th and 12th.
‘The problem at the moment is that discussions are taking place in a vacuum – we need to see the legislation which may very well answer my concerns,’ he said.
He acknowledged that 26,000 people in his constituency of Cork South West had voted Yes to repeal the 8th in the referendum.
‘I must respect that. But 18,000 voted no. They need a voice too. It’s a serious situation. The child with a disability has no voice,’ he added.
Along with other Dáil colleagues who voted No in the May referendum, Deputy Collins will have discussions with medical experts before possibly tabling the amendment.
There have been calls from inside and outside the Dail to progess the Bill without delay and Deputy Collins was emphatic that he will not hold things up:.
‘I’d be hopeful it could be dealt with in a reasonable debate in the Dáil lasting a half an hour,’ he added.
