Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This letter relates to conscientious objection in its totality. The person who wrote it is setting out her views. I am trying to air them. I have received hundreds of letters about this issue. I felt that this letter deserved particular attention by being read into the record of the House. It will stand the test of time. I hope it will protect the unspoken voices of midwives out there who are concerned. The letter continues:

On the point often made of what happens in other countries, we are unlike any one of those other countries. We had a referendum - they didn't. The citizens were asked "Yes" or "No". I appreciate we live in a democracy, but surely those of us who voted "No" for the reasons we did cannot now be expected to be able to set those reasons aside and get on with it as some are telling us to do. I am concerned that among some political circles, including some who are members of the select committee, my colleagues and I are now being referred to as "anti-choicers". We are not; we are conscientious objectors. As I have said before, I respect the democratic result of the repeal amendment, but "pro-choice" was a term we became very familiar with during the campaign.

She is quoting that. She goes on:

I sincerely hope that midwives like myself and other healthcare professionals who are now pro-choice of the abstaining ourselves from any procedure that will bring about the death of an unborn human life will have that respect reciprocated.

I think that is very fair. There is much more to the letter. I will not go on.