Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to be able to contribute to this debate. I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin for the courage and tenacity he has shown in pursuing this issue, and the Minister of State, Deputy White, for accepting the Bill. The fact the House can come together on an issue like this is a shining example of the work that can be done here. I wish legislation was judged on its merits more often instead of through the partisan prism of party politics.

I acknowledge the presence of the ladies who were victims of symphysiotomy and their families. They endured terrible hardship that demonstrates sadly that the political, economic and medical establishment since the foundation of the State has been inherently misogynist in nature. We should reflect on that and be aware that even today, as we face the challenges of ensuring we have a health service that is fit for purpose, it is still women who bear the brunt of the decisions we make and who are bearing the brunt of the situation the country is in at present.

I am often asked what leaders inspire me. I do not believe political leaders or personalities are what leadership is about. In philosophy there is an idea that a leader is at his best when people barely know he exists, that when his work is done and his aims are fulfilled, people say they did it themselves. Marie O'Connor and the other women who are victims of symphysiotomy are leaders. As a young legislator, those are the people I see as leaders. They demonstrate that whatever the hardship, no matter how difficult it is, and no matter how dark the day, if a person is determined and clear about his or her rights and dignity as a person and as citizen, who matters as much as anyone else, he or she can show the power citizens have as leaders. The victims of symphysiotomy are to be applauded because they are a shining example of what can happen when citizens band together for a common cause and grasp their rights. If more of that happened today, we would be in a better place.

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