Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to be given the opportunity to speak on the report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. That amendment was passed by the people in 1983. I note that I speak as an individual and a Member of this Dáil.

I pay tribute to those Oireachtas Members who participated and gave much of their time to deliberate and compile a report. That is as far as I can go, as the process was weighted from much too early a stage in the direction it ultimately headed. I refer to the motion establishing the committee, which states "the Citizens’ Assembly shall, as soon as is practicable after it adopts its report, forward same to the Clerks of both Houses, who shall arrange for it to be laid before both Houses, whereupon the report shall stand referred to the Joint Committee". There was not enough done to scrutinise that report and consider other options. Perhaps I should have interceded sooner through my party to question the terms of reference. This issue was partially highlighted in the document produced by members on the committee who did not agree with the majority report. A minority report was compiled by Senator Mullen and Deputies Mattie McGrath and Peter Fitzpatrick. They commented on items that were not introduced to the committee. Their report states, "Having regard to the manifest majority in favour of legalised abortion among committee members, pro-life members made it clear at all times that it was not the job of the pro-life minority to secure a list of experts who would ensure that all issues were examined thoroughly." I agree as it was up to those at the top of the table to be impartial.

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