Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)

As I am sure the Minister is well aware, almost 20 years have passed since the X case and we have watched Government after Government kick the can down the road and refuse to have the courage to deal with this issue. We are talking about a human rights problem which we have been content to export rather than deal with it head on, as we are afraid of what the public might think. We have been afraid to do the right thing. We compare Ireland to other countries in Europe, but 44 of the 47 countries in Europe are way ahead of us on this issue in respecting the right to health of the pregnant woman.

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