Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On 15 March last year, I requested in the House that consideration be given to the violations perpetrated on these heroic women who suffered extensively and unjustly following the barbaric procedures known as symphysiotomy and pubiotomy decades after these practices had been discontinued in most developed countries. I draw the attention of Deputies to the night we sat in the audiovisual, AV, room. Listening to the women's stories was harrowing. Not only was sweat breaking out on the back of the neck of the Deputy who was in front of me, but it was also breaking out on the back of mine.

Let there be no ambiguity. Doctors chose to perform this type of operation instead of caesarean sections because of a perverse and inexplicable view of sexuality and women's bodies that was presided over by the teachings of the Catholic Church, which was the norm at the time. The women believed they could trust the medical profession. Twelve months ago, I had the opportunity to meet some of the victims of this procedure. Listening to their individual cases was harrowing, to say the least. What they went through was a crime against human decency. Hearing their stories had a traumatic effect on me and I can only imagine what effect it had on the women and their families, given that some of the procedures were carried out without consent and sometimes in front of audiences. Their civil liberties were defiled, most notably those of health and freedom of choice, and they suffered the most extreme excesses of degradation.

Last night, the Minister for Health acknowledged the level of distress caused to the women who underwent the procedure and recognised the pain and trauma they endured. He is committed to dealing with the issue sensitively so that it can be brought to a conclusion for all of the women affected. He has agreed to accept the Bill and I thank him for sending a strong message to the women involved that he intends to bring closure in the fairest and fastest way possible. He also outlined that his primary concern was that all victims would have access so that their medical and health entitlements might be met. I commend him for his efforts in this regard. I acknowledge the work that the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, has been doing with the survivors for a long time. I also acknowledge the work undertaken by the Minister of State, Deputy White.

One of the reasons I entered politics was to be able to feel that an individual could make a difference. Tonight, every Deputy has made a difference. However, the women in question have made the real difference. Since entering Government, we have needed to make difficult decisions that affect many people, but we in the Chamber are above politics tonight. This is a question of human decency. When a wrong has been perpetrated, it must be righted. These women have been wronged. Tonight, we might be on our way to acknowledging in some form the injustice done to them. I thank these amazing women for bringing their story of injustice to us.

I acknowledge the efforts of Deputy Ó Caoláin, who introduced the Bill to the House, and the hard work done by him and Deputies on all sides of the House. Deputy Ó Caoláin has made a difference.

I wish the Survivors of Symphysiotomy group the best of luck in its future endeavours. I look forward to the findings and recommendations of the independent research report. I want the survivors' needs met sooner rather than later, not next year or the year after but this year, as the Minister outlined. I wish these women the best of luck.

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