Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for the contribution he advanced. I compliment Senator Mullen on introducing the Bill and on his cogent, balanced and compassionate contribution.

As a result of rapid changes in Irish society, we have had many human and ethical debates on questions which had not arisen previously or may have lain dormant. At times, we were counselled that discussion of issues of this nature created division and was emotive. I do not subscribe to that view. Who would argue, for instance, that the protests on medical cards or by teachers are not emotive or divisive or that any political action is not divisive or emotive? I believe the reason this point of view was advanced was to stultify debate, which is a pity.

My contribution to this debate emanates from an ethical disposition. I will refer to medical issues only in so far as they have been advanced to support the idea of embryonic stem cell research. A debate of this nature is a matter of "To thine own self be true". One must, therefore, listen to all points of view, try to understand them and ascertain to what extent they are compatible with one's own position.

This has been an exceptionally good debate. If anyone other than an Independent Senator had introduced the Bill, I do not believe the debate would have been so positive. In saying this, I do not mean to be critical of the Government, my party or any other party. However, I expect Senators will understand from where I am coming in that respect.

I take an ethical position on this issue and have questioned myself on some of the points Senators made which, as I indicated, we must try to understand. It was suggested that something that is done internationally should necessarily apply to this country. The international community has allowed millions of people to die of hunger, even though it has the wherewithal to save them, allowed millions of people to die of AIDS, even though the necessary medication is available and could be provided at a reduced cost, and stood silent on the invasion of Iraq which created a new generation of terrorists and bred greater violence. Besides the mercenary aspects of the way in which the global economy has developed, war has been a factor in recent economic developments. For these reasons, the international community should not be held up as an example.

I do not propose to ask questions in a God-like manner as I will leave that to Him. However, the point made about embryos dying accidentally does not amount to an argument. People die accidentally in car crashes but that does not change the position that we respect human life and its sacredness. As human life is sacrosanct in our community, the argument about the accidental death of embryos does not carry any weight with me.

Let us focus on the real issues, therefore. This debate is on one of the most intrinsic issues with which any of us, as legislators, will be confronted. The reason I avoid using the word "fundamental" is that the tag "fundamental" would follow. This also stultifies debate and it is important to allow discussion to flow.

Let us take on board whatever advice is available to us. On the medical aspect, there is not a Member of the Oireachtas, including me, who does not have a loved one or acquaintance who has not suffered from a serious disease for which stem cell research could prove beneficial. The person about whom I am speaking has departed this life. I grappled with my conscience on this issue on many occasions but this is a much more all-embracing issue than the immediate concerns of one individual. It is a question of human life itself and whether we will accept destroying one form of human life to help another form of human life. If we accept that proposition, the discussion becomes much more complex and we must take much greater care and have a greater sense of responsibility in the debate. I do not accept that proposition, however, because I believe when one opens the gates in that regard, it opens to question the concept of human life being sacrosanct and legislators acting as the defenders of human life. To suggest that it might be only initial experimentation or whatever does not change this in any way.

I hope that this Bill will progress to the next level. That is what I would like to see happening. I certainly would like to see the debate developing. I can tell Senator Rónán Mullen that I am very supportive of this Bill because it comes back to the issue of us as individuals. It should be possible for us to reach a consensus, but that consensus must respect human life in all its form, born and unborn. For me at any rate that is not questionable or capable of compromise because I believe this issue supersedes political affiliation.