Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

On the matter raised by Senator Mullen, one of the strengths of this House is that it represents a broad perspective in society. The matters he raised are matters of public health. I support the calls for a debate in this House on women?s health in particular. The issues the Senator raised specifically relate to women?s health. I am aware from my legal practice that certain clients I acted for would have AIDS or genetic testing done in Northern Ireland rather than in the Republic in order that they would not have to make a disclosure in matters of insurance in the Republic. Even without matters detrimental to women?s health being involved, the reality is that we have a situation, not to put too fine a point on it, where we are dealing with certain aspects of women?s health with an Irish solution to an Irish problem. Certain matters go on in this country because we are not open and transparent around matters of women?s health. I agree there should be a debate in this House on women?s health.

Yesterday?s announcement about the location of the national children?s hospital is welcome.

I realise not everyone in the country is happy about it. There are people who supported the Mater bid and the Coombe bid and so forth, but it is a momentous day. I am reminded of the fact that in 2007 we built almost 98,000 units of housing in the country and many of them are now in ghost estates but we have not built one public hospital in 20 years.

Certain matters were raised by other Senators relating to the children's rights referendum. It is easy to forget this in light of the victory of Barack Obama and perhaps another victory that bears mention, namely, the decision by the people of Maryland in a popular vote to approve same-sex marriages. This is the first time that a state in the United States has voted for that civil right through a popular vote as opposed to the public Legislature. We face a vote this Saturday relating to the children of Ireland. It is important that the message goes forward from this House that it is not enough to get this over the line. There needs to be an overwhelming popular vote to show the children of Ireland that they matter. We should not be complacent about the result.