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

I welcome Professor Pras and Ms O'Connor and thank them for their presentations. Given that it is International Women's Day, I wish to ask a few relevant questions.

Reference was made to the right to access terminations, particularly in the first trimester, in the context of rape, incest and fatal foetal abnormalities. This Parliament has established a citzens' assembly to examine the issue of abortion. We have a written constitution that prohibits abortion in this country, except on very limited grounds, namely, where the life of the woman is threatened. Legislation passed through the Parliament in 2013 to support that interpretation of the Constitution. We are now going through a process of considering the issue of abortion. More than likely, the people will be the final decision-makers in this context and there are varying views. The delegates' views on the issue would not be universal. The issue has been very divisive, not only in Ireland but across the globe.

While I believe our current system is not ideal - we have to address it - we take a very casual view of women's health internationally, other than in respect of the issue of abortion. In this regard, one should consider vaccinations and access to proper health care, for example. In many countries, there is a stigma attached to vaccinations which women and their children are not able to obtain. What is the United Nations doing about these broader issues? Professor Pras, as special rapporteur, talks about a right to health. The basic health issues include access to clean water, for example. I wonder at times what the United Nations is doing at international level to push out the boundaries in terms of female health in general, including mental health. Professor Pras highlighted some of the issues. While efforts are made to deal with practices such as female genital mutilation, for example, what is the United Nations doing on a country by country basis to address the issues to which I have drawn attention? I have highlighted the issue of vaccinations and taboos associated with women's reproductive health. Sometimes we do not highlight them enough as nations and internationally. Very often we get caught up in the one issue of reproductive rights and women's health.

Professor Pras talks about mental health and oppression in some countries. In this regard, what research is the United Nations carrying out on basic equality across the globe? Many of us have grave concerns about this issue. While we all respect one another's culture across the globe, issues arise regarding the oppression of women in various states. To tell the truth, my view is that at times the United Nations can be casual about such oppression owing to larger political interpretations, alignments, etc. At times, it has to be above and beyond these and call it as it is.