Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Does Mr. Conlon have any view about the unfairness of singling out contraceptives, which he agreed at the beginning were fundamental to women exercising their health and reproductive rights and preventing unwanted pregnancies? Does he think it is unfair that contraceptives should have to be bought or means-tested? For example, when a number of years ago I went to get my Mirena coil inserted, I had to pay for it and bring it with me. When people go into hospital to get stents or pacemakers put in, do they have to bring them with them in boxes? Why is contraception singled out in this way when it comes to women's health?

What is the rationale for using general arguments such as opportunity costs? There are opportunity costs with any form of public expenditure on anything. We will have an expenditure of €3 billion on the roll-out of broadband. There are huge opportunity costs as to where that €3 billion might otherwise be spent. I would have a few ideas, such as childcare, home care and a universal system of contraceptive care. Opportunity costs are an argument but one that does not apply particularly or solely in this instance. There are always opportunity costs. Again, why introduce this argument? It is a red herring and has introduced the kinds of debates we have had this morning about GPs versus pharmacists and older women versus younger women when, in fact, what we need to do is get on with the universal system of contraceptive care that was envisaged in the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. We are now talking about tinkering instead of getting the report right. That is why I am disappointed with it. I am also disappointed with the undue delay and the direction of the conversation. We need to get back to principles, including the principle that contraception is fundamental to women exercising their reproductive rights throughout their lives and fundamental for the prevention of unwanted pregnancies. I would like to hear from Mr. Conlon how we can shift away from the economic debate and move back to a more rights-based conversation. Why should I have to pay for my Mirena coil? Why should I have to bring it with me? Why does this apply uniquely to contraceptive care?