Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to preface my remarks by referring to what Deputy Rabbitte said. I think the Chair said she is "indebted to Deputy Rabbitte" for her comments about the non-appearance before the committee of certain pro-life invitees. To judge by the letters sent in by two of them, they did not want to be used in a tokenistic way by a committee that had already made up its mind that the eighth amendment must be changed or removed. That was a significant decision to take without hearing all the evidence. The response of the invitees in question was very understandable. They did not wanted to be added in as a last-minute sprinkling for respectability by a committee, especially as their presence would not reverse the 26-4 or 27-4 bias among witnesses. That is the answer to Deputy Rabbitte's concern. I think the blame lies squarely with this committee. I do not think the Chair will be indebted to me for saying that, but the evidence is incontrovertible.