Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There are times when language is inadequate and words cannot express the sentiment we feel in terms of offering condolences to particular families for the circumstances in which they find themselves. We have all been there. Last week, when the news broke about Savita's death, there was a sense of undying sadness that once again we were faced with the death of a young, vibrant mother. We do not yet know the circumstances but we will know because the inquiry will tell us exactly what happened. These things never happen in isolation. Equally, people responsible for her health and welfare at the time are feeling tremendous pressure. To her husband, who will feel her loss more acutely than anyone else, and the family, we must offer our deepest sympathies. We are not certain that saying those words is of any comfort to the person involved but, in the long-term, it probably will be.

I have been interested in this issue for as long as I can remember. I have always known we would have an incident like this and, whatever the circumstances, there will be another. I appeal to the Members who tabled the motion. It is unusual for me to do this and for a Government backbencher or Minister of State to say these words. I second the Government amendment. I appeal to the Deputies who tabled the motion for calmer heads to prevail. The anger they now feel was anger we felt over the years. When we now know that there is a solution in sight and that action will be taken, the anger dissipates. The anger on the streets, not just in Cork, Dublin, Galway or in Ireland, but all over the world is very understandable.

However, now that we are within sight of doing something concrete about it, and now that we have the solution within our power, I appeal to Deputies to let wiser heads prevail. Let us be calm about this and let us do it properly. My major worry is that we will rush into something that will present us with greater problems. That happened in the past and we need to take time – not to prevaricate or to take too long – but to do it properly and to ensure the eventualities that could arise are covered. I appeal to people to be calm. Now that we have a solution in our sights, we should do this properly. We can shout and roar and be as angry as we like but that will not give us a solution. The solution is within our grasp and we can do this properly. Maybe some people have not been involved in this issue for as long as others. We need to do this properly and we need to act because, as the Tánaiste said, not acting is not an option. We now have the opportunity but we also have the responsibility to do this properly. I appeal to Members to let wiser heads prevail and to do this properly. At long last, we have the possibility of doing it right.

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