Ms Emily Logan:

I am conscious that Deputy McGrath may have missed the earlier part of my statement when I spoke about the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. With regard to the Deputy's question on whether the commission considered the right to life of the unborn, it is important for the Deputy to know that there are mixed views around the table in the same way that there are mixed views here on the committee. Since the inception of the commission in November 2014, we have had ten occasions to debate this issue; three in relation to domestic legislation and seven around international treaty obligations. We do not all agree. I would say with confidence, and I assure the Deputy, that we are absolutely certain that we will never agree and will never reach consensus. It is important that the commission reflects Irish society and the kind of dissonance we see now in the context of this debate. It is a contested area, but as the chief commissioner, I want to assure the Deputy that of course this voice has to be heard around the commission table. Today we do not represent all the views of members of the commission. We represent the views of 13 of the 15 members of the commission. Two members of the commission oppose the presentation this committee is hearing today. I wish to assure the Deputy that with regard to the process, this is an integral part of our consideration.