Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for attending here today to give their perspective on the issue. My first question is for Ms Logan. I have read the new position paper released today, Human Rights and Equality Considerations in the Development of a New Legislative and Regulatory Framework on Abortion. I respectfully put it to Ms Logan that it is very noticeable that there is not a single mention in the entire document that recognises or speaks up for the rights of the unborn child. Am I correct in concluding that the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission believes that unborn babies are unworthy of any meaningful protections in law?

It is a fact that the eighth amendment has saved countless lives. I am privileged to know personally families who were considering abortion but changed their minds at the last minute before travelling abroad. These families openly admit that had abortion been legal in Ireland and had there been abortion clinics close to where they lived, their son or daughter would most likely not be alive today and enjoying the same chance of life as Ms Logan, me and everyone else present here today and all those in the wider community. Has the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission spent any time considering all the good that has been done by the eighth amendment? Why is there not as much of a mention in the document published today on all that is positive about the eighth amendment?

I wish to address a question to Christina. I thank the witness for her paper and I listened very carefully to what she had to say. In all her work as an international human rights lawyer, she never raised concerns about the barbaric practices such as the treatment of babies born after botched abortions and who are left to die alone without receiving any medical attention or loving care as they breathe their last breath. I present a harrowing image but sadly it is a very real one.