Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

We know about the tragic case of Savita Halappanavar. We know about the horrific case of Miss Y. It is quite simple. Repeal of the eighth amendment would remove a constitutional ban on abortion and allow a Government to legislate for abortion in whatever circumstances that Government considered. I am in favour of the full right of women to access abortion but, at the very least, the Government should commit to repeal the eighth amendment. It should not hide behind the need to have another election or use it to try to get votes in an election. The Government should commit now to having a referendum in the course of this Dáil term. We should have it. We will campaign and win a "Yes" vote, and we should then legislate for abortion rights in this country.

See this speech in context