Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will not delay the debate and will only make a few comments. Like many, I have listened to the debate for the past 18.5 hours. In that time, everyone who has spoken on both sides has done so from the heart. Some of the cases raised are not what I would like to see happening, but the people have spoken.

A number of amendments have been tabled, most of which I have supported. Regarding this amendment, we have discussed doctors, consultants, midwives, trainee nurses and so on, but the other hospital staff, for example, hospital porters, should also be considered. It is only fair. People have asked us to make provision for conscientious objection because they do not want to work in that situation. Those of us who have spoken, particularly on the pro-life side, have been asked to make their feelings known. The House has dealt with 46 amendments, many of which have been voted down. There are a further 19 to go, and they will be voted down. As politicians who have been elected to the House to represent people's views, we are obliged to make their feelings known. That is what is happening. It is only right that we have that opportunity. I have listened to everyone respectfully. Everyone who has contributed has said what he or she believes. I am doing the same. People with a conscientious objection should have the option of opting in. That is what I believe. I will not go on for any longer because we do not want to delay the debate unnecessarily.

See this speech in context