James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hope the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will afford to me a similar amount of additional time as that which he afforded to the Deputy. I wish to make it absolutely clear that we want to bring closure in respect of this issue for the women concerned who suffered as a consequence of the procedure involved. Long after the use of this procedure had been discontinued elsewhere, it continued to be employed in this country and, inexplicably, it was sometimes performed after a baby was born. There are huge issues for the women in question and we had a very good meeting with their representatives at which these were discussed. The women were very forthright in expressing their feelings and describing what they have been obliged to endure. One woman explained how harrowing it had been for her to go through the courts. Even though she felt she had an absolutely open-and-shut case, she found herself faced with the prospect of losing her home if she lost the appeal on a point of law. I do not want these women to have to go through that.

I wish to place on record the fact that nobody will be coerced into any process. Those involved have a choice.

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