Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Again, I would not as dismissive as the Deputy on what I said about our referendum, our Constitution and the separation of powers. It goes to the very heart of what happened in the United States. Above everything else, we should avoid the politicisation of the Judiciary; that is the basic point I make because that is what led to the decision on Roe v. Wade.

Likewise, on the protection of women's rights in this country, I do not see that weakening; in fact I see it strengthening. The review is about the operation of the Act. We had a referendum about five years ago and we must be faithful to that referendum and the people's decision, certainly in the immediate aftermath. That is where we are. The first phase is almost complete and much research and work has gone into the review. The issue of fatal foetal abnormality works both ways as well and we must make sure the framework within the legislation is properly adhered to. I certainly know of a case where the wrong decision was taken and that has not got the level of attention it perhaps should have. That needs to be said too. We need rigorous and objective evaluation of the legislation. I am particularly concerned about hospitals that are not implementing the legislation.

The policy issues that the Deputy refers to are broader than the review and are matters for political parties in these Houses to raise at any particular time. If people want to put forward ideas around the liberalisation of legislation or the changing of it, it is a matter for Members.

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