Ms Justice Mary Laffoy:

-----dragged into the area of speculation. Maybe I can rely on the clock as an excuse for not responding. Seriously, I do not think I should speculate on what might or might not happen. I had a particular job and I did my best to do it. I think it would be inappropriate to speculate.

The Deputy asked me to clarify what the citizens voted for when they recommended how the Constitution should be dealt with. I think the matter is quite clear. The citizens were advised that there might be uncertainties regarding the implications of repeal simpliciter. They took that on board. I think that is what happened. They voted the way they did on that. When the members of this committee are thinking about the recommendations made by the assembly, perhaps they should separate ballots 1, 2 and 3 in their own minds from ballot 4. Ballot 4 was about what they thought should be included in legislation. I think it is slightly different. The committee might take a different view on that. I think the members of the assembly were quite clear. On the basis of what they had heard, they wanted the matter of termination of pregnancy to be dealt with by way of legislation and not in the Constitution. That is the outcome, regardless of whether everyone agrees with it. As they say in Irish, sin scéal eile.

I would answer the Deputy's final question by saying that everybody is entitled to his or her own view on this topic. We have to respect everybody's view. I would not dream of criticising reporters, academics or politicians. In the position I am in, I have to respect everybody's view. My colleague, Ms Finegan, might tell me if there is anything I have not covered.