Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I share that view. Much of the comment I have heard has been, to say the least, unedifying and not respectful of women. This is an issue on which there should be as much consensus as possible because it is an important one. As I said to other Deputies, if we work backwards from the date of the rising of the House for the summer towards the end of July, there is a raft of legislation to be published, some of which is be enacted. I would like to think we could have the protection of maternal life Bill enacted before the House rises for the summer recess, but I cannot honestly be too prescriptive about this because people may want to have their say and so on. What I would like to see happen is that we can seek approval for the heads from the Government to get the Bill as right as possible, send it to the Oireachtas committee for debate, bring it back and process it through the Houses in proper fashion. I will keep everybody updated on the issue. It is important that everybody has an opportunity to reflect properly, sensitively and with understanding on what is involved. I will keep the Deputy and the House updated on the issue.

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