Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I ask the deputy leader to arrange for the Minister for Health and Children to come before the House in the near future in order that Members can debate a matter of importance, namely, the funding of CURA by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency. It is appalling that this body has failed to fund CURA, which does tremendous work for young girls who find themselves needing help and support. I ask that we have a debate on this matter. I am sad to see the failure of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency to live up to its responsibilities, and this should be addressed in the House. If there is any impediment from the Government with regard to the terms of reference of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, that should be exposed and debated here.

In a lighter vein, I welcome the recent initiative in which the DUP, the ruling party in Northern Ireland, and the Catholic Church, the majority church on the island, have come together to oppose the introduction of abortion on either side of the Border. This is to be welcomed. It is time the silent majority articulated their views to prevent a small liberal minority from engineering a situation which would be detrimental to human rights in this country. A primary human right is the right to life, and this must be articulated, safeguarded and defended at all costs.