Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I did not intend to ask questions at this point, but I am slightly concerned at the direction the discussion is takng. From my knowledge of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, the reason this discussion is taking place, there is no reference in it to what the Irish Medical Council did or did not do. There is, however, a substantial reference to what politicians did not do, not for 20 but for 30 years. I dislike the way the discussion is tilting towards a focus on certain people. In fairness to him, Professor Murphy has made it clear ten or more times that what he is talking about is based on regulations. He is perfectly right to make the point that he is not a legislator. We should not forget our own shortcomings. Asking certain people for their opinion on the case A, B and C v. Ireland is all very well but, with respect to the delegates from the council, at the end of the day it is this Parliament which must decide on the implications of the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights and the report of the expert review group. It is regrettable that this matter has not been addressed 30 years after the constitutional amendment was made.