David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I completely agree with my colleague, Senator Mullen, that the Government's approach to legislating on the abortion issue is completely unsatisfactory. I say this because the issue of health is not being addressed as part of the process. I refer, in particular, to situations where young girls might be the victims of incest or rape. It is absolutely unconscionable that people should try to force a young woman who might be in such a position to carry a baby to full term in order to satisfy their consciences and nothing else. I was not surprised to hear distinguished medical experts refer to this matter. One such expert indicated that what is going on is reminiscent of the Taliban, while another likened it to what happened during the Inquisition. I cannot understand how anybody would want to proceed as has been suggested. Of course, no young person would be forced to have an abortion.

Senator Mullen also indicated that he is not impressed with the Government's lack of communication with the stakeholders involved. I support the Senator's call for a debate on this matter and I would like those stakeholders to be identified during any such debate. I would like to know who those stakeholders are and who Senator Mullen believes are the people who need the information to which he refers.

We have to be careful when we quote so-called experts. I have not had the pleasure of reading Mr. Ferguson's analysis. I am sure he is a highly distinguished man. Certainly, he brought Pat Kenny to indignant life this morning on the wireless when Senator Mullen produced all this stuff. Coincidentally, this morning I received a distinguished paper from someone on completely the other side. I am supporting the call for a debate on this issue.

There are two other matters I wish to raise quickly. Will the Leader confirm for me, if he can, the outrageous allegation - it is even more outrageous if it is true - that the ECB instructed the IBRC not to comply with freedom of information requests from interested parties in terms of the banks? It is outrageous if someone in Europe was telling us that we cannot release information to our citizens under the Freedom of Information Act, which is domestic legislation. This I find absolutely shocking.

I agree with everyone who spoke on the matter that it was immensely reassuring to hear those wonderful young people and to read their essays. One or two of them were quite brilliant. There was a note of real sadness - I am sure the Cathaoirleach detected it himself - in those who said that to their immense regret they were afraid that because of economic circumstances they might not find a future in this country. I found that really troubling.