Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I support the comments of Senators Mullen and Hanafin regarding abortion. We all know there is no connection between the issue of abortion in Ireland, for instance, and the Lisbon treaty yet on the other hand we know there is a fear abroad that if our traditional pro-life stance on abortion is to change, the prompting for that is likely to come from outside the country. It does not matter whether it is in a human rights document or whatever. It is a matter entirely for the Irish people and the majority of the Irish people do not want abortion in this State. If there is any need for legislation it should be to strengthen the position of the unborn and ensure their rights are beyond question while at the same time helping those misfortune women who are prompted to have abortions.

From time to time I have seen the lobby groups promoting the idea of abortion but I have not seen them think of what it was like for women who had abortions. There is no doubt they are traumatised for life and depressed, and many of them are suicidal also. That is what we should be focusing on.

I support the comments on the Middle East made by other speakers because in many ways the Palestinian question has gone off the radar, yet the atrocities are continuing. To look at the picture of the four innocent children killed by Israeli forces must make one stop and ask what is happening. I have raised the point in the House on many occasions that if we are to have progress on the Palestinian question, it will have to include Hamas which has been elected by the people to represent them.

Former President Jimmy Carter has again put his head above the parapet, as he has done previously on many occasions on human rights issues.