Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome the opportunity to speak briefly on tonight’s Private Members’ business. I reject the motion out of hand. This attempt is scurrilous and irresponsible. I find some of the material distributed by this particular group, and by Deputy Clare Daly, nauseating, particularly in light of the tragic and sad circumstances to which we have alluded so often in this House and beyond, namely, the death of Savita. Reference is made in the leaflet to her death and in the same sentence to “the hypocritical politicians that have failed to act and legislate for abortion”. In a short period the Government has responded by setting up two comprehensive and separate independent investigations to examine the cause of the tragic circumstances and the reasons Savita died some weeks ago. I reject the motion out of hand and I also reject the scurrilous piece of propaganda that is being distributed at shopping centres and in Grafton Street today.

There is reference on the reverse side of the leaflet to what is really at the heart of this effort, namely, “free, safe and legal abortion”. I wish to hear clarification of whether Deputy Clare Daly is prepared to deny that she is in favour of what I consider to be walk-in, walk-out abortion. There is no will on the part of the Irish people for abortion on demand. The Government has acted quickly. It has published the expert group’s report this week. As the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health and Children has said, there will be ample opportunity for debate. We have set aside 20 hours for debate on the subject next week and we are approaching it in the most responsible way. We wish to reach consensus. It is incumbent on us to do so. As the Tánaiste said some weeks ago, doing nothing is not an option. The Government will not do nothing, but we will arrive at a consensus. That is the appropriate way. To discuss the matter in this way and to divide the House in the short term is most irresponsible.

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