Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Minister's point that concern at this matter is shared across the board in the Chamber. I acknowledge the commitment of members of both Government parties in regard to the all-party group. Their contribution and their commitment to resolving this issue is unquestioned.

I ask the Minister to accept, whatever legal advices might be presented, that there is equal and, arguably, longer standing eminent legal advice that gives a very different view. It would be a tragedy if a particular legal interpretation caused any of these women to be denied what is theirs, by right. Surely this is something we can, collectively, aspire to achieve and deliver as early in 2013 as possible. I hope the Minister will give every favourable consideration to that appeal.

See this speech in context