Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I record my party's appreciation of the Chairman's efforts in chairing the committee over the last three days. The hearings have been informative and have been carried out in a respectful way. That there are divergent, strongly held, passionate views on the matter is evident from the testimony of witnesses and comments of Members of the Oireachtas. While we box people into pro-life and pro-choice positions, there is a substantial middle ground which is sometimes voiceless in debates. We should be very conscious of the many people who are not affiliated with any political party or organisation and who want clarity on the complex points at issue in respect of the strictly confined interpretation of Article 40.3.3° set out in the X case judgment. Clearly, a great deal of work remains to be done before we see the legislation, its content and the regulations which result. The heads of the Bill will be brought before the committee and broader discussions will later take place on the legislation itself.

We speak about language, which is of critical importance in this debate. It is important primarily because up to 130,000 Irish women have gone abroad for a termination of pregnancy. Whatever side of the argument one is on, one should be mindful that strong language can be very offensive. They are our mothers, sisters and neighbours and we should be conscious of that. Equally, we should be entitled to put forward forcefully our point of view without fear or favour, while being respectful. I compliment the Chairman, clerk and support staff of the committee and thank the Seanad for offering its fine room to us for the hearing. We move on conscious of our obligations as parliamentarians and of the people outside who are watching us. They want us to deal in a calm, respectful way with the outstanding issues but only in the context of what is before the committee in respect of A, B and C v. Ireland.