Richard O'Donoghue: Support Families' Decisions, Not Judgment
Richard O'Donoghue addressed the Chamber to argue for listening to people facing pregnancy decisions and for giving them time and supports. He cited HC data showing that between 2019 and 2024, 10,426 women attended a first abortion appointment but did not return for the third day, and urged three days of reflection and practical help.
Key facts: O'Donoghue presented figures from HC data and emphasised the human dimension behind those numbers. He noted that some women who did not return for a third appointment may have travelled abroad, while others may have chosen to continue pregnancies.
Why three days matters: He argued the three-day period allows people to reflect on financial concerns, relationship issues and the availability of support, and that giving time can help ensure decisions are truly their own.
Support over judgment: O'Donoghue made clear he is personally pro-life but repeatedly stated his duty as a public representative and as a father and grandfather is to support people in the decisions they make, regardless of his own views.
Implications: The address frames the debate around practical support and listening, rather than imposing a single view. O'Donoghue called on colleagues to ensure people are given time and access to supports when making difficult decisions about pregnancy.
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Thank you Chair. I'm a father and I'm a grandfather, and also a public representative here today. And as a public representative and as a father and as a grandfather I support families, support people for all their decisions. And I've listened to all the different debates today, I've been listening outside of the Chamber on it and all the different debates and we have to listen to everyone and all their concerns. And the concerns that I have is on the people that I've listened to and we've seen this on the HC data shows between 2019 and 2024, 10,426 women who attended the first abortion appointment did not return for the third day. That means that some of those people may have left the country to have an abortion. Some of those people had the children. And regardless of what decision people made, our choice here is to support them and give them the time and the support they need. That's the job we have. Whether we agree with it or not, that's not the point. The point here is we support people on the decisions that they make. And for me having a person having a three day decision to do something, if it was a financial issue that they wanted, if they were in a relationship they didn't know about, give them the three days to reflect and see if the supports are there. If they want it and if they're not, then that's the decision that they have to make themselves. And regardless what decision they make, I'm here to support them. And that's what my position is this. I am a pro-life person. But regardless of anyone's issues, I'll be there to support them as a person, regardless of the decisions they make. My choice is my choice, but I support everyone on their choices and that's what we all should do.
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