Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

For repeated violations of this basic human right and the unjust interference of the State in the private lives and decisions of its citizens, Ireland has lost a number of high-profile cases at the European Court of Human Rights, notably Norris v.Ireland relating to gay rights, and more recently A, B and C v.Ireland, which attempted to deal with Ireland's draconian abortion legislation.

Theology and religious concerns must be separated from legislation so that the religious beliefs of one person are not imposed on another to the detriment of their human rights under international conventions. Although I do have reservations regarding the use of the word "conscience", I support the principle of this amendment because in a democratic society, the voices of individual politicians should not be constrained by the party leadership. Politicians should be free to make individual and independent decisions and encouraged to question the status quowithout fear of retribution.

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