Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

From time to time, those of us who watch television see examples of the two extremes at which medical practitioners use their skills. On the one hand, they offer extreme makeovers to people who are unhappy with wrinkles or the shape of their nose or ears while, on the other, they are prepared to do something for youths from undeveloped countries whose faces have been taken over by malignant tumours. I watched a programme on this last night and was shocked by the condition of such young people and overwhelmed by the charity displayed by the surgeons.

I say this in the context of the court judgment on the frozen embryos, which issue has been raised this morning. There is a vacuum and it is wrong to believe it will not be filled by practitioners who may not have the same medical ethics as the charitable surgeons in the undeveloped countries. Senator Ryan is quite right in saying the door is now open to horrific experimentation.

This is a fundamental issue for most people in Ireland. A debate in the House is not the correct approach but some steps should be taken in a very ordered manner, within our system, to ensure that we achieve some sanity and clarification in this area.

In most debates on the pro-life issue, each individual, regardless of the side he or she takes, believes deep down that we must protect the sacredness of human life. This is the most fundamental aspect of the issue. I ask that we do not let the months go by without addressing it because the aforementioned vacuum is serious.