Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Having listened to the debate, I know all of us here have different emotions and that there are different sensitivities and different perceptions. It is important that we do not try to create a uniformity in the debate itself. I have always felt that heckling and interruptions in this House on any subject are not acceptable. I am glad to say that in 16 years I have never done it.

In this particular case, in the early part of the abortion debate, I spent a lot of time reflecting. I said very little, perhaps, except on Second Stage, but I always reflected on what exactly it meant to the unborn child to be aborted. I started initially in the context of the status the unborn child has in our Constitution, but I also went further than that with regard to an issue that is being expanded on here today, that of foetal pain. There is a temptation to avoid that discussion. To some extent I can understand its avoidance out in the media, but I cannot understand our avoiding it here, in a House of Parliament, where each of us individually must respond to the knowledge we have accumulated and also to the values we hold. If we do not do that, the feeling at the end of the day will be that we did not act as good legislators.

I also reflected on what that abortion meant. The contribution made in the Chamber by Senator Jim Walsh did not shock me at all. We are in a House of Parliament. It might have shocked me on the "Late Late Show" or "Prime Time", or if it had been used as propaganda methodology in a publication. That is not where we are; we are in a House of Parliament. Each piece of understanding we requested, whether from the Minister or from someone who holds a different view, is very important. I accept the fundamental issue is that we are denying an innocent human being of the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential.

The question of foetal pain is a very important one for us. It is not a matter of changing other people's minds but of helping us to make up our own. I know nobody in this House would deliberately inflict pain on another human being and I respect each person for that. However, we may ignore some information if we do not endeavour to tease it out. Very relevant questions were put to the Minister today; it is for that reason he is present. The Department has the resources. The questions put by Senator Mullen are very relevant. What information does the Minister have in regard to that point? What is the medical evidence? Is that not why we are here today? It would certainly help me to understand. Obviously I am anti-abortion and would be an advocate for the unborn child but I would still like to know if there is pain involved in an abortion. That is all we are discussing and we should be able to do so in a courteous, tolerant and understanding way in this House.