Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am very concerned that the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is currently at risk of losing its Leeson Street headquarters, where it has been based for the past 28 years. The building is being sold by a NAMA debtor. The Rape Crisis Centre has managed to raise €1 million from donations to buy the building but there is still a shortfall of €800,000. The centre is very much dependent on its State grant but that grant does not cover the cost of renting accommodation.

As every woman will know, the Rape Crisis Centre is a front-line organisation that protects women at the most vulnerable time of their lives after they have been subjected to rape or attempted rape. It would be an incredible shame if NAMA was permitted to sell the centre's headquarters out from under it. We are all aware that NAMA has made enormous progress in selling assets. That said, its mandate also requires that NAMA delivers a social dividend to the people of Ireland which I believe it is not doing. I ask the Leader to raise the matter of the Rape Crisis Centre and its headquarters with the Minister concerned. It would be an incredible shame if, after 28 years of excellent service, the Rape Crisis Centre would lose its essential Leeson Street premises.

I also wish to raise the issue of a pregnant woman who has suffered a serious head trauma and is on life support in Beaumont Hospital, as reported in several newspapers today. This tragic case, of which the Minister for Health and senior HSE officials are aware, underlines the flaws in the current legislation governing pregnancy. I welcome the comments by the Minister yesterday to the effect that the current legislation does not protect the long-term health of women and does not cover situations of fatal foetal abnormality. The Labour Party's position is that the legislation should be amended accordingly.

I am aware there is no appetite at the moment in Government to deal with another referendum on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, but this issue must be kept to the forefront of our minds. We need to have a debate in this House, on the anniversary of the enactment of the legislation, to determine the extent to which the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act is protecting the health of women and performing its long-term role.

I am gravely concerned about an issue relating to Dún Laoghaire Harbour, which depends to a great extent on the business of the Stena Line ferry company. That business is worth approximately €7 million per annum to the town. There is a common perception that Dún Laoghaire is a well-off area and that the loss of such business would not have any impact. However, Dún Laoghaire has suffered dreadfully in recent years, particularly since the economic downturn. It is effectively a region of Dublin and it is unfortunate that Dún Laoghaire is losing out to Dublin Port. There is an issue here in terms of the interests of the regional areas of Dublin and its centre.

I ask that we take account of the balance of rights in this situation. I would appreciate it if the Leader would raise this issue with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.