Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a clear view, at least in my own humble way, of what this committee is about and what it is supposed to do. Our job is to assess the recommendations of the Citizens' to double-check and test it as far as we can and to eventually prepare the situation whereby a referendum or referenda will be put to the people on the basis of which the people will be able to vote in the clear knowledge of what they are voting for. I have done my best to raise questions and I have done interviews on this question as well, and I strongly believe that it is our job to test and verify and to try to ascertain where the opinions have come from in so far as we can. I cannot do that unless witnesses present themselves before the committee.

I fully support the points made by Senator Mullen. Please bring the witnesses in before the committee and we can ask questions. Everyone is entitled to have their view heard. It does not matter what votes are taken in this committee. Ultimately, this is the people's decision. It is not true to suggest, at all, that this is a foregone conclusion. It is far from that. What I strongly urge is this. I want to hear logical submissions from witnesses who have different points of view. I am not in favour of abortion but as I said before, I believe that we need to assess this situation in the light of various submissions that have been made. Let us hear all the submissions. To my mind it is a very serious flaw in what is happening if people do not come before the committee even though they have a strong view. Let us hear that view and the detail behind it.