Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This country has a dark history of not trusting women. Scandal after scandal has been attached to maternity care, childbirth and women's reproductive rights. Last night, we heard about a case before Mr. Justice Peter Kelly involving a doctor working in a maternity hospital. What a surprise.

Comments have been made about misogyny. I am not making an allegation if misogyny but my understanding is that it is a reaction to the fact that these amendments are based on a lack of trust in women and their doctors. I am not suggesting what is or is not going through anybody's head. In my view, this amendment will be pushed to a vote and will be voted down, as it must be, after which the members who voted against it will be accused of refusing to offer women information. That is partly what is going on here. For all these reasons, I will vote against the amendment.