Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

That figure seems to be moving, even today, so I do not know if we can base anything concrete on those estimates because there is a big difference between €80 million and €100 million. There was also a figure of €70 million. That does not seem to be a firm figure on which we can hang our hats. As I said, this still takes us to the economic conversation. Any public expenditure has opportunity costs, and any movement from a means-tested or paid-for scheme will have displacement costs.

My concern is to place those at the centre of the argument. The centrality of the argument is that we get a universal, publicly funded scheme that is comprehensive and supports women throughout their fertile lives. The cost is important, but it is secondary to those principles. That is the point and feedback I wished to give to Mr. Conlon.