Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for having to leave the meeting for a few minutes. While I was out, I heard Amnesty International being called a de factolobbyist for abortion on the news report. I would see that as the start of a non-cordial or non-respectful conversation.

I am afraid of my life of this topic, but that has nothing to do with votes. Before I came to this House, I was clear in my head - or so I thought - that I did not agree with abortion in any shape or form. My attitude was "No way, José," in any circumstances. I acknowledge that this was a result of my upbringing and faith and that this had been drilled into me. In the past number of years that view has been challenged at many levels and in many circumstances, but I am still afraid of the issue. I know that may sound stupid, but I do not know what the world will look like after we have had this conversation. I acknowledge, however, that we need to have the conversation.

We need to tease out what is acceptable to Irish people if the eighth amendment is repealed and under what circumstances abortion should be permitted. We have had proposal after proposal put forward that abortion be permitted in cases of rape, for example, but we have never had a proper conversation with middle Ireland on what people believe is acceptable and agreeable or on how far we should go. Now, in 2015, it is time for that conversation. I believe we should have that conversation before we have a referendum to repeal the eighth amendment, because we cannot ask people to repeal it without knowing what will be in its place afterwards. I do not know whether this is something we should put to a special constitutional convention, but it should be put to people who are reflective of Irish society, not just the extremes on both sides. With respect, we all know what they feel. As Senator van Turnhout said, we need to capture the feelings of everybody else. We must acknowledge the fears that exist, but have the conversation. I am ready to have that conversation now. I was not ready before, but I acknowledge that we need to have it now. This is as good a time as any to start, so I thank the witnesses for coming in today.