Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am anxious to conclude. I want to add to what Senator Wilson said about the lovely pupils from Cavan. I hope they have a wonderful day. Senator Wilson was right that the Minister probably does resemble an elder schoolboy. He still has his youthful good looks. I think that was the point the Senator was trying to make. That is a compliment in case the Minister thinks we are attacking him here all the time.

The point we are trying to make is that the amendment is worded to ensure no taxpayer provision would arise. We were not able to word it any other way because of the restriction on tabling amendments that would impose a cost on the Exchequer. Opposition Members cannot introduce amendments that would cost the Exchequer and we cannot tier it. The reality here is that, unfortunately, we do not know how many abortions there will be given that abortion will be unrestricted up to 12 weeks. We are dealing with scarce resources and competing demands. The taxpayer is not left liable for all of the services under the American model. Even if we look at the care provided, as I mentioned, and was outlined by the doctor's letter which I read, it appears that the funding provided for abortion services is much greater than the funding provided for the care the State extends to children who are born. That raises grave questions and would lead us to believe the Government is funding the termination of children to a greater extent than who are born.