Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I spoke on this amendment last night and I felt that, following a poll that was carried out after the referendum, it was clear that the people did not fully realise that the taxpayer would have to foot the bill.

I raised questions on this last night and the Minister did not answer them. The questions were about the large numbers in the UK who have a second abortion and the many cases of women who have up to eight abortions. I asked the Minister to provide clarity on whether the State would pay for multiple abortions and whether there is a reason for this. It may not always be what it seems and it could be a situation where a person is being abused and is being forced to abort. We are being asked to pay for multiple abortions which is questionable, but we also need to see if there is a reason for that, so I ask if we will work with the person in that situation? It is important that we find that out.

I am also unhappy with the way many of the Deputies conducted themselves last night because it was like bully boy tactics in some cases, but that is there way of dealing with this issue. I will certainly not be frowning, laughing, smirking, nodding and winking about other Deputies' amendments when they move them because they feel they are genuine in what they want to do. I support this amendment going forward.

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