Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am not a member of this committee but I have a vested interest in representing my constituents. I have known Ms Sloan since before Emma's tragic death and saw what she went through in waking and subsequently burying her daughter. It would be remiss of me not to attend this meeting given that I know the family intimately. They have received massive support not just from relatives and neighbours, but also from community organisations such as the Bosco youth centre in Drimnagh, of which Emma was a member and which played a very important role in her life. The board of management of the centre and the participants in the various courses that are run there have been an endless support to the family. I renewed contact with some of these people only last week when the Drimnagh festival was in full swing.

Although it is difficult to relive the horrors of the past, they allow us to understand the terrible tragedy that is the death of somebody in such shocking circumstances. I listened with particular interest to what Ms Moynihan had to say. It is clear that she has done a great deal of legal preparation; in fact, she has practically written the Bill. I am biased in favour of Cork because my daughter opted to go to university there. Regardless of what is happening in Trinity College, UCD, DIT, DCU or elsewhere, I congratulate to Ms Moynihan and her colleague on doing such a wonderful job in Cork.

Unlike Senator Crown, I am not convinced that dealing with this issue will be as easy as bringing in the legislation. We have heard about what is being done in various countries, including the United States and Canada. The medical professionals have emphasised that we need a policy in this area. Before today I did not realise the extent of the legislative changes that are required and I do not fully understand what happened in the context of the provision of the morning after pill. Nevertheless, we now know what is required and the ball is in the committee's court. I wish members well in the lobbying they will have to do with a view to bringing forward legislation which will guarantee that no family will ever again have to go through the trauma the Sloans went through in their bereavement.