Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

Fine Gael's motion is a pro-life measure. Voting on this motion is not about party politics, but moral values. It requires all of us as politicians to make moral choices which go beyond party political allegiance or obligations to obey the party Whip. The challenge for Government Deputies is to act as legislators and support Fine Gael's motion, or to abdicate their constitutional responsibilities and simply behave as lobby fodder.

In making their decision, they should reflect on the reality that there are few Members in this House who have not experienced the tragedy and trauma of the death of a close relation or friend as a consequence of cancer. They should ask themselves whether they want to vote to condemn others to such a death. It is time for the Deputies opposite, for once, to display both courage and responsibility.

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