Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Cahill. Reason needs to be brought to this debate. Unfortunately, the debate is only emanating out of a sexy campaign called Repeal the 8th. None of the underlying issues is being discussed, although disturbing cases are being raised, with which we all sympathise. They are alarming in the extreme but reason needs to be brought to the debate. I would welcome a reasoned and sympathetic debate in the House, which would consider all the issues. My colleague, Deputy O'Dea, spoke on this issue last night in a level-headed manner. If the eighth amendment is repealed, the protections of the unborn will be removed from the Constitution. What constitutional protection, therefore, will we provide for the unborn? Does the State want to take all the protections for the unborn out of the Constitution?