Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and I welcome the Bill, which I will support. I will be voting "Yes", if and when the referendum takes place. I am happy the debate and discussion on the substantive issue has been in the main reasoned and moderate. We have had enough of the antagonism and vitriol that informed these debates in the past. The people appreciate the respectful tone that obtains on this occasion. I hope it continues.

The question of the repeal of the eighth amendment has been thoroughly investigated by the Citizens' Assembly and subsequently by the joint Oireachtas committee, of which I was a member. The results of its deliberations and the advice it received from a large number of medical, legal and other witnesses is available for all to examine. I commend the assembly and the committee for their very important and difficult service. They carried out their remit most professionally and without fear or favour. Allegations to the contrary do not hold water. I will single out Ms Justice Mary Laffoy and our Seanad colleague, Senator Noone, for their excellent work at the head of their respective committees.