Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Kelleher summed it up perfectly. This section was front and centre of the entire debate. The 12-week period was front and centre and whether one liked it or not, that is what one was voting on. These issues were unbelievably well rehearsed during the referendum and arguments were made for and against. The comfort I take is from Deputy Kelleher who I understand formulated the proposal at the committee with Deputy Chambers. Deputy Kelleher is on record as saying he is not in favour of abortion for reasons of disability. He set out the reasons for the 12-week period in the referendum, as did others while some people set out the reasons against it. However, the public voted for this section. If there is anything in the Bill that they voted for, it was this given the extent to which it was rehearsed. The 12-week limit was the signature issue in the referendum. People need to remember that. There has been an effort here to rerun the referendum and to sow confusion in the minds of ordinary, decent pro-life voters that somehow Deputy Tóibín and other colleagues are their heroes. They are not their heroes and they know that. Deputy Tóibín is an utter hypocrite.

See this speech in context