Rónán Mullen (Independent)

It is important that we have that debate.

Yesterday many colleagues raised the issue of abortion. It is time we had a debate on the subject. There are worrying reports that a reputable agency which has been doing good work for many years, CURA, will not receive funding from the Crisis Pregnancy Agency. We need to debate whether the Crisis Pregnancy Agency is fulfilling its remit to reduce the number of abortions taking place and whether the action of refusing funding to CURA is consistent with our constitutional provisions, which are to defend and vindicate the lives of both the mother and the unborn child. It is only by vindicating the rights of both parties that we will have a truly humane response to this sensitive issue.