John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to place on record my response to the interview this morning with Ms Emma Nic Mhathúna. I was shocked by the content of the interview. I do not know how to explain it. All we can do is extend our good wishes to her and her family and wish her the very best for the time ahead. In my opinion the State has failed her. She said this morning that she was dying when she did not have to. She is one of the victims of this latest controversy. One of the points she made was that the first obligation of Government is to keep its people safe and on this issue the people have not been kept safe. There is a need for reform and for resignations in the appropriate places. I acknowledge the bravery of this woman because she has done a lot for the women of this country. I sympathise with her in the place she now finds herself in.