Mr. David Manley:

In reply to Deputy Kelleher, if one asked Family and Life would it want a referendum to row back the suicide provision in the X case, the answer would definitely be yes. This brings up the matter that was so often repeated during the week, and, indeed, has been said by no less than the Minister for Justice and Equality, namely, that the 1992 and 2002 referendums confirmed the correctness of X and the support of the Irish people. I happen to have lived through 1983, 1992 and 2002 and my grey hairs show the work I put into trying to get the vote out.

Two questions were put to the people in Albert Reynolds's 1992 referendum. It asked them if they wanted termination - that was the word used - accepted and if they wanted the suicide provision removed. Pro-life people, and excuse me for using this shortened version, felt caught between two opposite poles and felt they had to vote against it. In 2002 the same question was asked of the people, namely, do they want the suicide provision removed but, unfortunately, there was a deep division among pro-life people and a large number voted against the 2002 referendum. It is incorrect to say that most people in Ireland support the suicide provision. My colleague wants to add something to that.