Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I want to refer to two contributions earlier before making my main point. First, the Leader and the House would do well to take on board the cogent and eloquent contribution from Senator Martin McAleese. The sentiments outlined in his contribution would chart a way forward for the Seanad. His words clearly illustrate the reason the Presidency has become relevant and respected by the people in the past 14 years. We could do a lot worse than embrace fully what Senator McAleese said.

Second, I concur fully with my colleague, Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú. He has championed the cause of those buildings in Moore Street which were pivotal in the retreat from the GPO in 1916. While I am sure the wish of the previous Seanad will be endorsed by this House that those buildings would be preserved as part of our heritage, in terms of the emphasis the Government is placing on tourism and the part history can play in that, it is essential we would have a commitment with regard to the preservation of those buildings. I support that suggestion.

Last December the European Court of Human Rights found against Ireland on the failure to implement legislation following the X case. Given that we recently had fairly trenchant comments from Thomas Hammarberg, who is named as the Commissioner for Human Rights for the Council of Europe, which surely must be a misnomer given some of his comments, and given that the Government is currently preparing a report to set out to the Council of Europe in the coming weeks how it intends proceeding with regard to that issue, it is imperative that before anything is sent to the Council of Europe it is discussed in these Houses. The will of the Irish people has been clearly stated with regard to abortion. Commitments have been received internationally and enshrined in international agreements, and people voted on the Lisbon treaty on the basis of commitments made in that regard. It is imperative, despite some minority liberal thinking within the coalition Government, that the majority will of the Irish people would not be aborted in regard to this issue. I ask that the Minister would come to this House prior to any report issuing from the Government to the Council of Europe and that we would have a full debate here on that issue.