Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I think I answered Deputy Michael McGrath regarding how seriously the Government will take the evidence given yesterday by two brave women at the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality. On one of the Deputy's previous questions, it is worth nothing today, on International Women's Day, that the Government has made a clear decision, with unanimous support across Government, to bring forward legislation to remove the eighth amendment from the Constitution and is determined to stick to a timeline to provide for the opportunity to do that in late May. I look forward to the debates that will take place on that sensitive issue. It is important to recognise the role of Government in taking a leadership position towards changing the Constitution to protect women's health, first and foremost. It is significant and it is appropriate that it is happening on a day like today.

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