Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have listened carefully to the debate. There is a huge amount of merit in what Senators Keogan and Mullen have said, when it is private. The example was given of somebody praying outside a hospital or clinic and being asked by a garda what they were praying about. To me, that is provocative to some extent. I would like to know if the person was praying aloud or praying in silence. Perhaps the garda should not have asked them if they were not interfering with anybody in any way. I believe that people can pray without it being obvious that they are doing so. There are places where people can worship aloud if they so wish. Prayer is a very personal thing and I would be quite uncomfortable with it being included, in any shape or form, in a discussion like this. When protests are happening or even if people are standing in silent prayer, it can easily be identified as protest.

It would be remiss of us not to make some observations on the "RTÉ Investigates" programme broadcast last night. It is horrific to see that young women are still going through these traumas. It is not acceptable and I would be quite blunt in saying that the recommendations of the O'Shea report have not been implemented yet, to such an extent that Ms O'Shea has gone on the record and spoken publicly about it. It went before the health committee where a majority supported the recommendations. It is now with the Government and it needs to be implemented. What we saw women going through last night is the type of thing that people voted to eliminate a few years ago. I listened to the Taoiseach in the Dáil today and the Minister was beside him. Yes, huge progress has been made but I would tell the Taoiseach as well that I believe the recommendations of O'Shea report should be implemented. We left it late enough in the review process to set up the review and we should not procrastinate and delay now when it comes to implementing the recommendations.. I do not expect a response but that is my view and I wanted to articulate it.