Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator O'Meara requested a debate on the report of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, referred to in No. 1 on the Order Paper. She also requested a debate on dyslexia, which would be interesting. We previously debated the issue of autism which ran for a number of sessions, the notes from which the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, said he found very helpful.

Senator O'Meara also raised the issue of backstreet abortions. It is extremely sad that these women were so confused and had to take such action, sad in the context of the abortion of a baby and also in regard to the women's health. The abortions came to light because one of the women was discovered in a bad state of health afterwards. The issue, which was also raised by Senators Feighan and Glynn, has echoes of half a century ago when, as Senator Feighan stated, women did not have or could not access the information to help them.

Today, two good bodies namely, the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and Cura, provide such information. They advertise widely, post notices in public buildings, give good advice and offer practical help. However, as was raised on a radio programme this morning, the question is whether the women in question would have understood English and been able to follow advice offered. For information to be useful, it must be accessible and understandable by everyone. I listened to Ms Olive Braiden talking about the issue and I and some of the women in the House met with her afterwards to discuss it among other matters.

Senator Quinn referred to an imminent new policy development on child care in the UK, whereby maternity leave might be legally extended in order that men or women can stay at home with their babies for the first two years. Senator Mooney raised a similar issue in respect of properly structured child care which would have an educational element. It is not a comment on the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, but it would seem that other Departments would be more suited to hear a discussion on the matter.

I do not agree with Senator Ulick Burke's point about the backstreet abortions. The incidents are sad but stones should not be cast at Departments because there will always be aberrations. Berating people about the matter is not fruitful. Senator Browne referred to the issue of road fatalities. He also appears to be lurching towards another way of looking at the smoking ban. However, the law is the law and, no matter what Minister is in office, it is on the Statute Book.