John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister to the House. This is not a debate on the benefits of stem cell research or how we should proceed with it, rather it is concerned with whether we should proceed with funding embryonic stem cell research. The proposal on embryonic stem cell research, COM 2003/390, recently came before the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. It was rejected by Members from both Houses, who represent the two largest political parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. I believe that a large number of the Independent Members also support us.

There are those of us who accept that the human embryo is the start of life and the smallest member of the human family. Everything that is done thereafter is predicated by that. Questions were raised during this debate as to how we regulate this area. However, if one believes, as I do, that the human embryo is the smallest member of the human family, one cannot agree to research in this area, whether it is regulated or not. Both are unacceptable.

The Minister referred to the Catholic University of Louvain. However, it does not express the viewpoint of the Roman Catholic Church. The only reason it is called the "Catholic University" is because in the 15th century that was how universities were named. The Irish Roman Catholic bishops reflected the views of the Pope in stating that embryonic stem cell research is unacceptable.

There is a democratic deficit in the European Union. During the Nice Treaty referendum we were clear in our demand for a more accountable and democratic EU. At the time, the Minister said: