Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome both of the witnesses and thank them for coming before the committee. Their presentations were frank and informative. I especially welcome the statement from Professor Pajkrt that in the Netherlands the whole question of abortion is women-centred. This is the way it should be. It is the mindset that is starting to gain momentum in Ireland, although rather belatedly.

I have two questions. One has to do with the legislative situation in the Netherlands, and Senator Mullen may have referred to it earlier.

There is a lot of very strong, even harsh language in the 1981 Act, which I understand has survived any reviews that have taken place, referring to abortion as being a crime punishable only as a last resort. At the same time, there is quite clearly a very liberal abortion regime in the Netherlands. I am trying to put those two things together. Does this language reflect some sort of social divide on the question? Has the 1981 Act ever been endorsed by the people of the Netherlands by way of a referendum?