Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Could the Minister elaborate on that and clarify the situation for me? Wherever wrongdoing exists it must be addressed. All health care professionals must adhere to a fitness to practise code. That operates across the board. We have seen so many cases where that did not happen. I am very disappointed with the Minister's speech tonight. It was obviously well prepared by his officials and himself - I do not say the Minister could not do it - but I am unhappy that he ignored the previous investigation and the fact that the HSE-sponsored funding from taxpayers was used, which is needed for knee operations, cataract operations and other operations. The Minister knows the situation. He visited Clonmel and he met the carers and saw the bedlam. The Minister ignored the squandering of that money to give illegal, dangerous, life-threatening advice to young pregnant women and he continues to do so, as has the proposer of the Bill.

We cannot do this - just close a chapter in a book from the previous Dáil and introduce it in this Dáil. Deputy Harris is the new Minister and it behoves him to be honest with the people, be honest with himself and true to himself and the unfortunate people. The Minister said he met women, and I believe he did. I know he is a compassionate man. Will he meet the group of women known as Women Hurt by Abortion? The Minister said he wants to meet people on all sides of the debate. The group was not allowed into the hearings in 2013. Will the Minister meet the group, whose members will be very calm in telling him their story? It is very important to have all the knowledge and the full facts. I look forward to debating the issue further and to opposing the Second Stage reading.

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