Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Chairman and staff on their good work in facilitating and assisting in this debate. While there are strongly held views on this important issue across the spectrum, people have conducted themselves in this debate with honesty and in the manner appropriate to the seriousness of the matter. This is welcome. For those of us who were around in the 1980s and early 1990s, it is worth making a contrast with the fraught atmosphere of the time. The debate was not always conducted in the best manner possible. Much of the reason for reaching this point is down to the sea change in society and public opinion. The situation has moved on in terms of how people view the issue and how they conduct the debate on same. These are positive developments.

While the Bill represents a step forward, we have a considerable way to go just to catch up with public opinion. The law and politics have lagged behind. More could be done in the Bill, particularly regarding the issues mentioned by Deputy Healy, those being, fatal foetal abnormalities, criminalisation and how to deal with suicidal ideation. Before the Bill passes, I hope that the Minister will reconsider some of these issues.

Deputy Kelleher stated that now was not the time to discuss certain matters that were not covered by the Bill. He was right on one level but, on another level, now is the time, as they remain live issues. The people watching this debate want them addressed. In this sense, it is legitimate to raise a number of the points in question. Among a significant number of people, there is an expectation that this debate will not conclude when the Bill passes, given that other issues need to be addressed. I hope that the Bill's passage will prompt movement on the issues that cannot be dealt with now but must be dealt with urgently.