Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Ardagh, I wish to pay tribute to Deputy Micheál Martin. I remember sitting in my car in Malahide, listening to his speech in the Dáil with tears rolling down my face. It reaffirmed my commitment to my party and the republican ethos by which I have lived my life. There are many people to thank for bringing us to this day. It is a very emotional time for us all. We took the bull by the horns and finally dealt with this issue.

I wish to spare a thought for the women who for too long travelled and those who lived with stigma and shame in this country. At last, women can be looked after at home in their time of need and do not have to go abroad alone to face perhaps the most difficult time in their life.

I thank those who embarked on their own personal difficult journeys, engaged on the issue and listened to the debates, experts and the women of Ireland, then had an internal conversation and voted “Yes” in May. They empowered us, as legislators, to come to these Houses and do our jobs and legislate to provide proper healthcare for the women of Ireland. Politicians are much maligned but we took this issue and finally dealt with it. We did not continue to go with the narrative that this was a toxic issue that could never be tackled. Of course, it could be tackled and we could deal with it as mature people. Of course, the democratic will of the people of Ireland could be respected and we could legislate and deal with each other in a courteous manner in these Houses. I am very thankful to be here as part of this process. I hope we can leave the House united, put any disagreements behind us, get on with things and let the women of Ireland have the healthcare they deserve.