Seanad debates

Thursday, 26 March 2015

Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage

 

10:30 am

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is a grotesquely restrictive and deeply offensive amendment. I am pretty disgusted that this House has to suffer through this kind of stuff. This is exactly what the people from the IVF clinic whom I have spoken to warned us about. They form part of what Senator Mullen so charitably called "the industry". They warned us about this both when they talked to me privately and when they addressed Members of this House in AV room.

Perhaps the Minister could clarify the following. I understand she gave an undertaking that there would not be punitive measures against people who facilitated in this area. This provision deals with matters such as scans, psychological advice and that kind of stuff, which is helpful. To invade people's privacy in this disgusting way is utterly reprehensible.

Senator Crown may find Senator Mullen compassionate, but I have yet to detect that. It may be there somewhere. I know there is a rictus of a smile every so often, but whether there is real compassion I do not know. I have not seen it. I did not see it during the civil partnership Bill.

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