Dr. Thomas Finegan:

Everything I have said has in principle been agreed with by Dr. Yuill, who is an atheist. No part of my argument has relied on theological premises. I think those theological premises are perfectly justifiable and admissible, but I am conscious that we are in the Parliament and we are dealing with the common good, not necessarily with the kingdom of heaven. The basic idea underpinning what I am saying is that every human life is equal, of intrinsic value and of inviolable worth. That is the basis of human rights documents and it does not rely on any theological premise. It is a cornerstone of just law and a just society, and it is something that can be demonstrated purely philosophically, considering the ways in which we differ from other animals, the significance of the natural capacities that we have, and how they involve a higher dignity and a higher value from ordinary sensate life.