Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That we know of, yes. I agree. The Senator referred to a study. There is also a PhD thesis by Dr. Murphy Tighe which speaks to issues around psychology. There is a major need to have that debate, not least because it may help women to realise they are not on their own and to offer them support. It is also about looking after the health and welfare of that young mother today. I will be happy to have that debate because the Senator is correct that there must be clear and direct pathways to care. I commend her for raising the matter and hope all of us can assist and be there through our work for some mother this morning, or for anybody.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of Brexit. The point he makes is one about which we need to be careful. The Government has been engaged in contingency planning and preparation and it is working with the other 26 member states involved to ensure there is a publication from the Commission this week. We will make an update available to the House before the Christmas recess if we can. The Government is preparing for all eventualities and contingency planning for Brexit is ongoing in all Departments, as it has been for more than a year. The Government has mandated all Departments to give the highest priority to plans for a no-deal or disorderly Brexit. It is somewhat premature to be talking of members of the Defence Forces on the Border. We all agree that there should be no return to a hard border and we all want to see a deal struck and agreed. The British Prime Minister has her own difficulties but the priority for our Government is that we will have the deal enacted as agreed and continue to ensure there is no hard border on our island. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House early in the new year for a debate on Brexit.

Senator Craughwell referred also to the decision of the INMO and looking after our public sector workers, as did Senator Murnane O'Connor. It is a bit rich to listen for her to talk about looking after front-line staff when it was her party in government that decimated the lives, incomes and supports of nurses.