Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not agree that what is offered is in any way reflective of what the women have gone through over their lives. However, it is up to the women themselves to make the final decision. That is the position I have taken publicly and privately.

One matter the Minister has not mentioned in his response to Deputy Doherty is the 20-day period. Any reasonable assessment of what is involved and what challenges the women concerned would demonstrate that a 20-day timeframe in which to respond is extremely limited. It should be lifted. I do not believe there was any such time restriction in regard to the schemes related to hepatitis C and other conditions that were addressed historically. Why would the Minister force the women to respond in such a short period?

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