Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I commend Vicky Phelan on the wonderful service she has done the State and her courage. It really alarmed me yesterday when the Minister said that this is a communications error. I could not believe what I was hearing. It is not a communications error. It is a systemic cover up, nothing else, so let us get that straight from the beginning. I could not see how any woman across this country could have confidence in the head of the HSE, Mr. Tony O'Brien, and I ask him to reflect on his position, the decisions he has made and the distress they have caused people, including women. With regard to the 208 women affected, I have no doubt numerous women are yet to come forward.

On behalf of the Sinn Féin group in the Seanad, I extend a warm welcome to the two new Senators taking their seats for the first time today.It is a proud day for the families of Senators Ian Marshall and Anthony Lawlor, whom I welcome to the Gallery. I look forward to working with both Senators in the time ahead. Our opinions will diverge on some subjects but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Much has been made of the election of Senator Marshall and the fact that Sinn Féin made the decision to support him. Some even questioned if he is a real unionist, which made me wonder what constitutes a real unionist or a real Irish republican. Perhaps those who pose such questions should reflect on what they need to do to create an environment of mutual respect and equality in which we are all free to be whoever we are and to create a society in which no human being is less equal and in which other individuals or communities do not have to be put down in order that we might elevate ourselves.

The journey that began with the collective overwhelming support for the Good Friday Agreement has some way to go. There have been disappointments and frustrations on the pathway to agreement's full implementation, most recently when the DUP was unable to close the deal agreed to get the institutions back up and running. However, we must not let these setbacks stop us on the journey to lasting peace and reconciliation. No problem is insurmountable. We have had to overcome problems in the past and we will do so again. Sinn Féin wants the institutions back up and running and I welcome the unionist perspective that Senator Marshall will bring to the House. After all, we only learn from those with a perspective that deviates from our own. We agree on many important issues, most glaringly on the potential negative impact of Brexit, North and South.