Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak to this Bill. With my colleagues, Deputies Buttimer, Regina Doherty and Heather Humphreys, I have been part of the all-party committee examining the symphysiotomy issue with colleagues across the floor of the House. I acknowledge the primary role of Deputy Ó Caoláin in trying to keep this on the agenda and the way he has worked with all of us to try to come to a resolution that does not create any difficulties in the political sense.

I welcome the Minister's acknowledgement of the intent of the Bill, even if he feels it may not deliver what is intended. I hope he, in conjunction with the rest of the Members here, intends to deliver tonight's objective, which is to bring about the beginning of the end of the road in the struggle for justice for the people affected.

Deputy McLellan said this was a violation of women mainly by men. The men among us have a duty to make sure we take part in this process and help to bring it to a conclusion. If we do not, we have failed. I have a son who was born in 1992 and it as hard to believe that as recently as that, when I thought we were in a modern society with best medical practice in use and archaic methods banished, there was still a mindset that would allow such a thing to happen in this country. It is scary to think this persisted as recently as 20 years ago. It says a lot about the relationship between the powers in the church hierarchy, the medical profession and the political families in this country that it was tolerated until so recently. It smacks of hypocrisy that some people are putting so much pressure on those of us in the House on other matters, which I feel strongly about and I take great umbrage when I am being told people are worried about my soul.

We must deliver justice; that is what we all want to do. I believe the commitment the Minister has given. We have seen with the recent events related to the Magdalen women that when we try to work things out collectively when we see a grave injustice, we can do it. I hope we have achieved that before the end of 2013 because it is no less than the people here and others who have suffered deserve.

I had no knowledge of symphysiotomy and I only now realise that I have neighbours and constituents who underwent this procedure. As recently as last week, a man said to his son in front of me that his mother had undergone this process when he was born. I was oblivious to this.

We have learned a lot in the last two years since the committee was set up. I welcome the Minister's commitment that we will see this matter concluded by the end of 2013, with due recognition and compensation for these women and their families.

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