Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry - the committee heard that evidence. I was surprised by the backlash on the street. When the Bill was discussed initially, I did not expect people to be annoyed. However, they raised with me the point that 2,500 kids could not get access to mental health services. There is a question of humanity involved in that as well. We have a portion of money to be spent in our health services to deal with issues affecting people. Obviously, many feel that there is a prioritisation, in that money is being found in this space but is not being found for the 750,000 people on health waiting lists or the record 9,000 in October's trolley count. There is a question in people's minds regarding the prioritisation of money for abortion services instead of other health services of which people have considerable need. That is my view of this Bill.

We should do our best. It is a pity that Deputy Coppinger is not present, as she used the word "cruel". It is impossible for some people not to find difficulty with the language being used because this is such a difficult space, but we should at least allow for honest debate and not try to close it down.