Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join with my colleagues in sending my condolences to the Bolger family on the awful tragedy in Dunmore East, County Waterford. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. The tragedy brings home to us the extremely dangerous circumstances in which many people in the fishing industry make their living. I agree with Senator Cullinane that we need to have further discussions in this House on health and safety in the fishing industry. The loss of life on this scale is hugely regrettable.

Like Senator Healy Eames, I very much regret the recent comments of President Obama on the Planned Parenthood organisation, which performed approximately 330,000 abortions last year. I was also disappointed to hear Senator Bacik, on the day that the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill was published, already expressing her wish to extend the scope of that legislation. That is not what most Members of this House want to hear.