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

I thank Deputy Bríd Smith for giving me an opportunity to speak about this issue. As the Taoiseach stated earlier in the week, with some notable exceptions, the referendum campaign has, by and large, been respectful. Given that this is such a divisive and difficult issue for many, people have engaged in considered discussion of it in their homes. I have spoken to many people in their homes about the issue and they want facts. We should try to look at the facts, rather than the posters. We must recognise that in any campaign as emotive and divisive as this one, one gets people who are desperate to win an argument and who may present the facts in a very emotive manner. I respect both sides in the referendum campaign.

I passionately believe and hope the people will vote "Yes" next week because doing so would be a reflection of reality. Abortion is a reality in Ireland and the truth is that the law that applies to abortion for Irish women is British abortion law. Every year thousands of women are given a piece of paper with an address indicating where they should go, as long as it not here, thanks very much. I am not willing to stand over that any more, which is the reason I am advocating a "Yes" vote.

I could make many emotive arguments around rape, incest and fatal foetal abnormalities. I have met many women who had to face these challenges and they chose to speak to me because of this debate. Over time, my perspective on this issue changed on the basis of facts, as opposed to posters, conversations and listening to horror stories that we continue to allow as an unintended consequence of a change made to the Constitution in the 1980s. I do not believe people expected what subsequently transpired. The truth is that abortion is a reality in Ireland and women are making choices without support from the health system and doctors that is appropriate at a time of real vulnerability. If the people give the Oireachtas permission, we must change the current position.

I reassure the many people who are still undecided, those who recognise a change is needed but are a little concerned that it may go too far, that if they vote "Yes", there are many Members of the Oireachtas who will ensure the change we will make in legislation, if given the opportunity to do so, will respect and protect women in a much more comprehensive way than we have been able to do to date. In doing so, we will also recognise the responsibility of the State towards providing protections for the unborn. What the Government is proposing to do, with the support of many other Members, will strike the right balance if we are given the opportunity to do so through a "Yes" vote. We will not be able to do anything if the people vote "No" because it will mean a freezing of time. We will be stuck with all of the dilemmas we face today and turn a blind eye to many of them if we do not choose to change.

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