asked the Minister for Health if operations for (a) vasectomy and (b) hysterectomy are at present carried out in hospitals in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vasectomy and Hysterectomy Operations.
19.
I understand that a small number of vasectomy operations are carried out. Hysterectomy operations are carried out quite frequently for gynaecological conditions.
May I ask two supplementary questions and if they seem obscure I hope that the Chair will bear with me because my European duties rarely allow me to come to this House. First, can the Minister say if the operation, ovectomy, is performed in this country?
I cannot say.
My information is that it is performed here and qualifies for voluntary health payments. Could the Minister comment on the legal, moral, medical and theological implications of a situation where, if I or my wife render ourselves temporarily sterile by the use of contraceptives and then confess our fault to Deputy Flanagan, we are breaking the law but we could render ourselves permanently sterile by medical operation and not break the law?
The only comment I would make is that the matter in the first instance would be one for the Deputy, his wife and his GP.
Lest there should be any reflection on the medical profession, I would point out that those operations are carried out for medical and not for contraceptive purposes.
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.