Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will share two minutes of my time with Senator Clifford-Lee. I have not spent as much time on this issue as my colleague, Senator Noone, who I thank for her hard work, time and commitment on the issue. I thank the members of civic society who are here today, including many members of Together for Yes who have put a great deal of time and effort over the past 18 months into making this a historic day and getting us to where we are. I particularly thank the Minister. This is the longest debate to which I have been party and I was glad to listen to Members on both sides of the debate. The Seanad did itself proud and the debate was, in very large part, courteous and contemplative. I am very proud to have taken part in it. I particularly thank the Minister for sitting through the debate, being very eloquent and addressing many of the concerns of Senators, especially in regard to criminalisation and other matters which he was able to clarify. We look forward to the legislation in the new year on exclusion zones. I thank the staff of the Seanad, the Cathaoirleach, the Leas-Cathaoirleach and the Acting Chairmen who facilitated the debate. We owe them sincere thanks. I thank the medics behind the scenes.

I thank my party, Fianna Fáil, and its leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, who made his views on the issue clear at an early stage. I thank my colleague, Deputy Lisa Chambers, who put in significant effort, particularly on Committee Stage of the debate, and was a great champion of repealing the eighth, as well as many other colleagues to whom I will not refer for fear of forgetting someone. I became very emotional when Deputy Micheál Martin made a speech in the Dáil in favour of repealing the eighth. It was a very proud day and a turning point for me. Many members of Fianna Fáil may sometimes feel left on the edge but it was nice to feel that we are on the right team and that there are like-minded people in our party. That speech gave me great comfort as a Fianna Fáil member.