Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As I was about to say, I mentioned a Mr. Winters the other night who wrote another article in The Irish Times. I am merely quoting The Irish Times, not criticising the writer. On 10 July, which was after the referendum, Ms Bardon wrote that "it is understood Mr Harris is examining whether services can be provided under the Maternity and Infant Scheme". The article went on to state that "that programme allows for maternity services free of charge when provided by a family doctor and a hospital obstetrician but this could be expanded to women who may require a termination of their pregnancy". The fact that it even crossed anyone's mind to use the maternity and infants scheme to pay for abortions does not even require comment. I must genuinely ask the Minister how he can look at himself in the mirror and not be even slightly perturbed or bothered by the notion that funding that is used to care for pregnant women and their babies will be diverted or that the budget will be expanded to pay for the ending of babies' lives.