Counting the angels dancing on the head of a pin again – Mitchell

Speaking on Deputy Clare Daly’s Fatal Foetal abnormalities Bill, Olivia  Mitchell , Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown said, she “wished the solution were that simple”.

“I completely support the aspirations of Deputy Daly’s Bill and I dearly wish it would provide a legal framework for termination where the foetus cannot survive.

“However, the Bill claims constitutionality by virtue of the fact that the 8th amendment protection to the unborn doesn’t apply where the foetus cannot be born alive. 

“So after 30 years since the 8th amendment we are back asking the courts to define “unborn”. Even back then this was described as akin to trying to decide how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. And it is just as futile. 

“The ambiguities and inconsistencies of the 8th amendment make it unfathomable, even to the best legal minds. 

“The only way forward is to take it out of our constitution and provide doctors and women with a clear legislative framework for the circumstances in which terminations can legally take place.”