Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----that regardless of whether the pharmacists who have been in touch with us are correct in their fears, at least it can be agreed that the legislation does not specifically protect them in the way that it protects other professionals? That is why I will support Senator Norris's amendment if he puts it to a vote and that is why we will advance our own amendment. It is important that we respect people's right not to become a cog in the wheel. The Minister was in error when he told the Dáil that there were specific protections to ensure people would not get in trouble arising from their conscientious objection. As I pointed out on Committee Stage, his legislation falls short of that. It provides protection against being victimised by this legislation, but there is no protection in this legislation, as things stand, for people who are made subject to sanctions other than sanctions pursuant to this legislation for wishing to exercise their conscientious objection. That is the problem. The Minister said one thing, but his legislation is doing another. I do not believe Senator Bacik or others can contradict me on that.