Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am speaking on amendment No. 45. There is a difference of opinion on the other. I thank everyone for trying to be helpful. I accept we acted in good faith which we have done at all times. No more, no less. I am not going to be vilified by Members opposite for having a rubbish or fake or fraud amendment. It was called everything. Anyone can make an administrative error. So can we. We are not above making mistakes on this particular issue or any issue for that matter.

I thank the Bills Office, the Ceann Comhairle’s staff and all the other staff for trying to correct it. We were lambasted, however, last night. We were told to take it away, that it was rubbish and to run off with it. It was vitriol of the highest order. We did not put down amendments to be fraudulent, silly, cruel or heartless. All the empathy and sympathy is not on the other side of the House. We are doing what we were elected to do. We are doing no more here than trying to shape this Bill as the eighth amendment is to be removed and put into the hands of the legislators.

The Minister in his indecent haste avoided pre-legislative scrutiny. He rushed into the Chamber on different days with various cut-off times. Today, we have abandoned all business in the House for this Bill. There is nothing else in the country of any importance only this legislation. I cannot believe two items on Private Members’ business were pulled back for this. I will have a different attitude everyday in future when we have demands for more speaking time on different issues. Essentially, the housing crisis, the health crisis and the hospital trolley crisis are not important. This Bill, however, has to be done if nothing else. Clear the decks to rush legislation through to have this when the doctors, nurses and hospitals are not ready. No ultrasound facilities have been rolled out yet. It is a farce and nothing but a farce. It has been a farce since the eighth amendment committee was set up. That was a cabal which could not find a pro-life doctor to address it or meet the women with regrets for having an abortion. Last week, we were told it was makey-uppy regret. I know some have apologised for that. However, we are being vilified for delaying this Bill. We are not delaying or filibustering. We are doing our duty to assess amendments, put them down and speak to them

See this speech in context