Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

It is a very complex Bill and I have no doubt that in exercising the wisdom of the House we will bring to the attention of the Minister issues that may require the tabling of amendments and the consideration of the Bill again in the other House. If so, so be it. There is no panic about the Bill and I do not see a need to rush it. It has been discussed for some time, is very important and has many implications.

With regard to voting according to one's conscience, Charles Stewart Parnell introduced the Whip system in a strong way. Liam Cosgrave and Dick Burke voted against their own family planning Bill in the 1970s.