Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I welcome this timely debate. Senator Feighan referred to the anniversary of the Anne Lovett case, which I also intended to raise. This case shocked the nation to its foundations. We were confronted with a teenager who considered herself so isolated in her pregnancy that she died giving birth in a field. Her baby also died. That event took place following a traumatic time for the nation, the abortion referendum of 1983. Since then we have had 20 years of sometimes difficult debate on the issue, but we have finally arrived at a position where we can talk about issues around female sexuality, pregnancy and abortion.

I welcome the members of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency to the House. I was a member of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution which recommended the establishment of this agency. Its setting-up was a landmark in our history of coming to terms with this issue as a nation. I compliment the work of the agency to date, in particular its advertisement campaign which is non-judgmental, straightforward, honest and extremely informative. I imagine that it effectively targets the intended audience.

The true measure of the effectiveness of the agency will be the reduction in the number of women travelling for abortions. As a nation we have to ask ourselves what we want to achieve. I hope it is our ambition to reduce the number of abortions. In doing so, we must ask ourselves what issues we need to address, as a number of people have done.

Following the X case and, more pertinently, the more recent C case, a legal situation is in place arising from court judgments on the 1983 referendum and the amendments since then. If a woman presents with a crisis pregnancy and wants a termination, it is legal for a GP to give this information or to direct her to where she can get it, such as to a clinic in Dublin. Such a clinic can then refer the woman further and even organise an appointment, travel and so on to Britain where an abortion can be carried out. This is what the people voted for. However, it is not legal for an abortion to take place here and we accept the decision of the wider community. This gives rise to a situation where health board staff accompany young teenagers to Britain for abortions. It is legally permissible for them to do so.

Is it not time for us to face up to the fundamental hypocrisy inherent in our approach to this issue? We find it acceptable that abortions take place in Britain and that Irish women travel there for abortions, but we do not want abortions to take place here. It is not a pleasant truth to face. Where do we stand on this matter? What message are we sending to women and the wider community? We clearly have a considerable road to travel in this regard. As a nation we are not ready to face up to this unpalatable contradiction.

Senator Cox raised the issue of our attitude to motherhood, parenting, pregnancy and adoption as well as to our sexual values. The Minister of State, Deputy Callely, referred to the issue of the sexual health of the nation. Last year a debate took place in the House about the implications of the abuse of alcohol. Concern was expressed at the behaviour of teenagers and young women, in particular, in regard to over-drinking and the related conduct which appears to be highly sexually irresponsible. We have to face up to this in the educational process. As Senator Cox said, we need to encourage an atmosphere in which it is all right to choose not to have sex with someone relatively unknown. We also need to encourage a level of responsibility around sexual behaviour and health not only among young women, but among young men also.

Parents need to be open with their children. I am the parent of a teenager and I also have a younger daughter. We have to be able to talk about these issues with children at home and in school. Great progress has been made. I commend the excellent relationships and sexuality education programme which starts in primary schools. Many people take the attitude that the school is taking care of this issue and are relieved that they do not have to think about it. However, they have to be involved in this matter as well because it is extremely important.

Senator Cox also raised the important issue of adoption. She rightly pointed out how few children are available for adoption. This matter also came up at the deliberations of the all-party committee. Adoption is a difficult area. Some women choose abortion over adoption because the latter is seen as a much more painful process. One has to go through the full pregnancy and then face the trauma of giving up one's child.

We need to look at how the issues that arise for all women can be resolved and how we can encourage a positive and supportive attitude around adoption. To give the gift of parenthood to a couple who are unable to have their own children is one of the greatest possible gifts. Anyone that would choose to do this should not only be supported, but also commended and given every resource necessary.

I am pleased to see that we have finally come around to judge this issue in the context of choice. Choices are available for women faced with crisis pregnancy.