Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

I second the proposed amendment to the Order of Business. The population is concerned that the Government has gone soft on crime and its causes. Hardened and petty criminals are not fearful that the Government will do something serious to restrict their activities, which is why the country is up in arms about what is happening.

The media are wrong when they criticise the House for not being brave enough to enact legislation regarding IVF treatment and the status of the embryo. That is a Government decision. The Minister for Health and Children should be called to the House to explain why the legislation is lacking. There is no protection for women who receive IVF treatment in the State, a point I have made clear in the House a number of times. Legislation is needed to protect embryos used in the IVF process and how they are handled and managed. Many Senators do not realise there is no protection anywhere for the embryo, either in vivo or in vitro. I am asking that such protection be provided. For those who do not understand what I am talking about, in vivo refers to the embryo still being within a woman's body. Under legislation, the morning after pill and intrauterine devices can be used to prevent implantation. IVF - in vitro fertilisation - is not covered by ministerial regulations or legislation. This issue has been debated ad nauseam in the House since the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction reported to the Joint Committee on Health and Children as far back as June 2005.