John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In the same way as Deputy Donohoe, I will never understand the issue to the extent of a woman, but I wish to contribute to the debate nonetheless. We have waited a very long time in this country to have this debate, but now that it has come it is very welcome. Like everyone else in the House, I have been inundated with telephone calls, letters and e-mails from constituents - from home and abroad - in recent weeks about the death of Savita Halappanavar. Many of those who contacted me were also people who stood on Kildare Street on the day the story broke, and marched on O'Connell Street the following Saturday, to show their support and compassion for Savita's family. I have never seen such a public reaction, and how it has informed the debate in this House.

Until then, for many the X case was an abstract, legal discussion, but now it is also a personal story of loss. People with previously entrenched positions in this debate have realised the status quo cannot continue. The recent polls tell us the public wants this issue resolved, and it will be. We have an opportunity to show the women of this country that we will act to vindicate their rights, show leadership and provide clarity of purpose on the issue. Many of those who contacted me in recent weeks said that for too long politicians had dodged the issue and that they would not stand for it. This Chamber and its Members cannot be the rock on which the tide of public opinion breaks and recedes. Not this time.

In the same way as other Labour Party candidates, I stood in the previous general election on a manifesto that included a commitment to legislate for the X case. I want the commitment to be honoured not just because it was often a difficult and lonely policy to support, but because it is the right thing to do. We have seen the expert group report. We know the options it gives us and we must now draw up a plan to proceed. Whatever course of action is chosen - be it legislation, regulations or a combination of both - I will support it. The report does caution that to get the right balance between appropriate drafting and democratic scrutiny will take time.

I know the impatience of people and the desire for an immediate reaction but we should not spend a minute more or less than we need on the issue. This is the opportunity many people never thought they would see, and I am prepared to wait just a little bit longer for a response that will satisfy the people of this country. Regardless of whether we like it, this debate and the subsequent legislative response will not be the end of the abortion debate in Ireland. That will be the case as long as thousands of Irish women continue to travel to other countries to access medical services each year. Whatever people's opinions on abortion beyond the X case, it is a debate in which we must all engage at some point.

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