David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have heard many arguments in the Chamber in the past few days about pro and anti-repeal positions. Everyone's position should be respected. I understand fully that this is an emotional issue for many. My party has a clear position on the eighth amendment which is that it should be repealed and replaced with laws which provide for terminations in certain circumstances. I have a different view. I am and always have been pro-choice. The 1916 Proclamation promised to cherish all of the children of the nation equally, but it must be remembered that the women of Ireland who are in the majority also need to be respected. Their rights need to be respected. We must have equality in health care between women and men in the State, but we will not have it as long as the eighth amendment is in place. A woman should not lose the right to health care simply because she is pregnant. Under the eighth amendment, women lose that right when they become pregnant.

I trust women to make decisions that will affect them. The eighth amendment does not. We must be very clear in all of the hysteria that will flow from this debate. While I respect opinions on all sides, I have heard some extreme views from some in the Chamber and others outside it. We should be very clear that no woman in the State will be forced to have an abortion; not one, not ever. Irish men can hold whatever opinion they want on the issue of abortion and they are entitled to their opinions. However, it is not something that will ever affect their bodies. It will never affect mine. As such, the only issue about repeal of the eighth amendment is whether I trust women to make decisions that will affect them. Do we in this House trust women to make decisions that will affect them? I trust the women of Ireland to make decisions that will affect them. For that reason, I will vote to repeal the eighth amendment. I will campaign to have it repealed and will stand shoulder to shoulder with all of the women in Ireland who want to be treated with respect, who want equality and choice and control over their bodies. That is what we should do.

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