Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is a positive measure. It is very useful because it does not select, identify or isolate anybody who intends to provide the service and who might be overawed or intimidated by those protesting against the provision of service. I reiterate the importance of the service and how it can be and has been a life or death issue for some patients seeking those services. We know from history all the situations that arose and how they arose. A woman seeking access to such services is fully entitled to privacy and anonymity for a service that is already available. Just because some people have a reason in their minds to protest, who are opposed to it in principle, that does not and should not prevent the availability of the service, which is provided for by law, with the huge efforts that went into that.

Finally, I want to mention the unfortunate tragedies in the past over long years. I will not mention the individuals now but everyone is aware of the issues. We need to keep in mind as time progresses the horrific nature of some of the issues that brought about the situation whereby this legislation was introduced, passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas and the service is now legally available.