Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I oppose the vote on removing Article 40.3.3°. I have always had my suspicions about bias in this committee. The overwhelming vote in favour of removing Article 40.3.3° means the genie is out of the bottle. It is an insult to some of the eminent people who are due to come in and make a presentation to us that we have already decided to do this. We have dismissed some of the reports of the Citizens' Assembly. There was a huge geographical area of 11 counties, of which mine was one, which were not represented. If that is fair you can call me Davy.

The recent Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis brought a new low in cynicism. The ink is not dry on the motion to retain the eighth amendment but two of that party's Deputies have voted to remove it tonight, or abstained. The public, however, can see what is going on in the committee and that it is not a question of Senator Mullen and me whingeing. I wish to defend Senator Mullen's reputation. He is not in any way trying to subvert democracy. Many members called for us to go into public session while we were in private session. We kept our counsel until the public session but why bother? We knew the outcome. Deputy O'Connell mentioned the bias and the numbers show this, with 20 out of 26 witnesses to the committee being on one side of the argument. Up to 16 have come in so far and given their views. I respect their professional advice but they were all in favour of legalising abortion and removing the eighth amendment.

The question of human rights was raised. I have just come from the Dáil, where I spoke on the pensions issue. The Fine Gael Government talks about an Ireland of equal opportunities but mothers who were forced to give up work when they got married and raised their families are being punished. The Minister for Finance says it is bonkers but he has just delivered the budget, which was supported by Fianna Fáil.