Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to inform the Minister, as he mentioned the courts, that a court challenge is getting underway today. Indeed, a press conference will be held at 3 p.m. outside Leinster House to enlighten him further on that.

This was made explicitly clear in the Twenty-Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, which provides for the operation of a mechanism whereby proposed changes to Article 40.3 of the Constitution, such as the text proposed for legislation on the Protection of Life in During Pregnancy Bill, will be put to the people in a referendum. What about all the promises in Lisbon that the people would be consulted? While that was not the Minister's Government, he was a supporter of it as well. Where did those promises go?

I want to put on the record of the House serious concerns about the heavy-handed way the whole debate has been carried out, especially last night, which was ridiculous. I know from talking to our Whip and the other Whips that they were not consulted in any way. I, as an employer, understand health and safety legislation.

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