Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

That means that 24 did not vote in favour of the decision. That suggests that 24 people are well aware of the widely and deeply held ethical views on this issue, not just in Ireland but throughout the world. We remember the European debates on this when many countries put their heads above the parapet and were not prepared to provide finance to this type of research.

UCC has a very proud record but it did no credit to the record by what it did in this case. It is particularly important that it takes a step back and parks this issue for the moment. UCC is well aware that it is not acceptable in the present climate. There are also legal issues involved. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, as well as the Minister for Health and Children, should be involved in this debate. I hope the Leader will take on board the strong views that exist. The last time we debated this the majority of people on both sides of this House were opposed to stem cell research. Others may have an open mind on it, but it is totally wrong for UCC to act in this manner. I hope the message goes out from this House that UCC should take a step back and not go ahead with this decision, which was undemocratic in the first instance.