Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Let us make amends and the parties should now come together. Could we have the opportunity prior to some of the Council of Europe meetings to hear some of the views being put forward in that forum? In this regard it is in order to compliment our colleague, Senator Rónán Mullen, for ensuring last week a motion was passed by the Assembly, contrary to the so-called McCaffrey resolution, which provided that no person, hospital or institution shall be coerced, held liable or discriminated against in any manner because of a refusal to perform, accommodate, assist or submit to an abortion. That was passed because we have sent four Members of this House to the Council of Europe. I support Senator Mullen in this regard. He can take the credit for putting forward that motion at the Assembly last Thursday. It would be very useful for us to have debates on what is coming through Council of Europe before the eight members from Ireland attend meetings in order that we might have some idea of what is being proposed.