Seanad debates

Friday, 17 December 2010

10:30 am

Photo of Fiona O'MalleyFiona O'Malley (Independent)

I refer to an article in today's newspaper which states that in light of yesterday's judgment in the European Court of Human Rights, abortion will become an election issue. When we are setting the agenda for the next session next month, will the Leader ask the Minister to bring forward legislation on abortion, as previous Senators have indicated? That very correct judgment yesterday indicated that the people, through a referendum, have spoken on this matter. It has been a consistent failure of Government to legislate for their desired choice.

It is a simple issue that we can resolve straight away so that it does not become a divisive issue at election time. We have been given the consent of the people in a referendum and the European Court of Human Rights has stated that it is within our ability to legislate for this. There is a moral obligation on the Government to do so. We could resolve this matter, as the people have determined.

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