David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is an obvious logic in what the Minister is saying in that, as Minister for Health, he does not want to involve himself in justice issues or operational issues that pertain to An Garda Síochána and, in general terms, that makes sense. He has to accept, however, that what we are talking about here are health regulations and a health Bill that is coming from his office, and there has been engagement with the Department of Justice and extensive engagement with An Garda Síochána. In fact, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health, in our pre-legislative scrutiny, had sessions with An Garda Síochána as well. The point we made to the Minister in the pre-legislative scrutiny report was that this is about the enforceability of the Bill, and that is the main reason these amendments were tabled in the first instance.

We all accept the Bill will add value. We campaigned for it and advocacy groups, women and others have been looking for it on the back of the termination of pregnancy Act. Safe access zones were committed to and I am happy they will very shortly be in place. Nevertheless, this is a health Bill and it is about regulations, and the question relates to its enforceability. It might be a bit of a stretch, therefore, for the Minister to say he does not have any input, involvement or say on the enforceability side of it. I say that gently as opposed to labouring the point. For that reason, I will support the amendments.

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