Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like others, I believe that Archbishop Martin's letter this morning is an extremely important and constructive contribution to the debate. This is a man who is not given to making wild statements. He is someone who thinks and talks straight. It is unthinkable and unconscionable that an unborn baby that would be capable of life outside the womb could lose its constitutional right and be killed. That is an appalling prospect if it were true, and I sincerely hope it is not. That is a right that deserves to be defended and vindicated. We have had the heads of a Bill and hopefully when they are clothed that danger will be totally removed. I am sure we will pursue the matter further.

That leads me on to Senator Leyden's grandstanding here this morning. Let us be honest and calm about this matter. As Senator O'Sullivan and other Members opposite have said, the hearings of that joint committee of both Houses are extremely important. Hopefully, they will bring about the tabling of amendments, to which the Minister said he is open, and refinements that we would all wish to see.