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

Am I not entitled to hold my opinion? Everybody who speaks on this issue in the Chamber is brave. However, if one reverses one's opinion we see what happened across the water with the one and only President Donald Trump, who is now very much pro-life. The liberal media appear to castigate him for his change of mind. Can the change of mind not work both ways?

There is more than one view on this issue. There is my view, which is for the retention of the eighth amendment. There are those who want to go the full hog of the report's recommendation. Then there are those in the middle who want various categories knocked out and perhaps to shorten the term. There is no majority at present on this issue. Politicians can say they are on the winning side and have the backing, but there are various opinions among the public. This issue has a long way to go. Where possible, I will ensure that I and the electorate that advocates for retention of the eighth amendment will get fair play in forming the legislation.

I have received emails from people in all walks of life and on all sides of the thinking about where we should go on this issue. I have received them from people who take the same stance as me, but I have to advise them to pull back a little as they could antagonise some people. I would say the same to those who wholeheartedly support abortion. I respect all of their views but I ask them to mind their language.

I will be seeking to retain the amendment. It has served this country well through the years. There will be no winners. Regardless of the result people will still be giving out, whether it is a case of the more I speak for it here or the more I speak against it. I do not know what the right view is on these issues. There was legislation in the House before Christmas and most of the speakers on it opposed the Bill, yet it went through. This is the place for everybody to speak his or her mind, and I respect everybody's view.

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