Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have heard both sides and I am appealing for a reasoned debate. There is no need for the sideshows. This is too serious an issue as Deputy Tóibín and others have stated. We know what has happened around the world. We know the experience in Finland, where they parade the fact that they will be Down's syndrome free by 2020. That is a shocking indictment. Deputy Durkan and others seem to think that we should trust the Minister in everything he says but he has changed his stance more times than it has rained in this country in recent years. That is a fact. How are we to live horse and get grass? Unless something is written into the legislation, we cannot be expected to believe it. That is true of any legislation, whether it be the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Regulation Bill 2018, which we discussed earlier, the Finance Bill 2018 or whatever.

We often argue about the words "shall" and "may". Unless what we are seeking is specifically mentioned in legislation, how can we be expected to believe and trust this Minister who was elected on the basis of his pro-life stance. He wrote letters to his constituents in Wicklow, promised that he was pro-life and asked for their number one votes. I have a copy of one of those letters and can read it out if necessary. In fact, I will read it out later.

How can we be expected to believe anything the Minister or the Government say in respect of this matter, particularly as many of those who are in government were elected on the basis of the same stance? However, they have been on these so-called "journeys" in the interim. They all made these famous journeys. One of them was a journey across the River Lee in Cork and, as a result of it, we got the three days - the 72 hours. The Minister used the word "disgusting" and other adjectives when referring to the Tánaiste. That is all fine if that is the way those opposite want to deal with it. Some of us have credibility, accountability and consciences and we want to keep it that way. We are not twisting and turning to suit the times or our political masters. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing us to speak in a dignified manner on this issue and not be silenced.

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