Rónán Mullen (Independent)

Of course I am. If anything it now looks as there may well be adverse mental health sequelae for women associated with abortion some of the time. We are now in a new place with our knowledge about the impact of abortion not just on the unborn child but potentially on women as well. All these issues need to be scrutinised.

We should also remember that were we to legislate for the X decision, as Senator Bacik would like us to, we would be talking about no time limits. Otherwise, that would also be unconstitutional. The X decision was quite unworkable. We need to look at this issue in the round and courageously. In protecting the unborn, we must also ensure women always have the necessary support and solidarity from all institutions of our society so they do not feel they have no other option but abortion. It draws on all of us to show compassion and imagination as we try and vindicate human rights in a true and proper sense on this most important of issues.