Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I echo everything Deputy Chambers has said. Any time the question of abortion has come into the Oireachtas, and I am in my eleventh year, everybody prefaces the debate by saying that we will be reasonable and sensitive and act with responsibility. All these pious statements are made. However, this committee has experienced very little of that. In fact, I must say that some of the aggression shown towards our witnesses has bordered on the unchristian. The idea that anybody who states that this committee is a set up to rubber stamp matters, that it has already decided and that there is a majority of whatever it is, is not being fair to the public and is definitely being very unfair to their colleagues on the committee. If people really feel that this is the situation, perhaps they should ask why they are remaining on the committee if they have such little faith in the process, their colleagues and the Chairman, who has been eminently fair. The public knows she has been fair.

I have nothing against anybody here. Everyone here has the right to their opinion and beliefs. Many of us are on a learning curve. Some people came in here very decided on their position. I find my position has changed since I became a member because of the information I have received. I really regret that one cohort of witnesses has decided for whatever reason not to give us the benefit of their wisdom. The people who might have an influence on such people should go back to them and ask them to come back in. We would like to hear what they have to say, we would learn from what they have to say and we are open enough to listen to them. This should be the last debate about the credibility or otherwise of this committee. Every Oireachtas committee is entitled to be taken very seriously and responsibly. People must make their minds up. Are they going to engage with the committee in a productive manner or should they be here at all?