Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Like previous speakers, I commend all of those involved in the organisation of yesterday's very successful and impressive Dáil 100 centenary event in the Mansion House. I was privileged and honoured to have been present to listen to the very dignified, respectful and appropriate way in which we commemorated the important first sitting of the Dáil 100 years ago. As a member of the Labour Party, I was pleased and heartened by the emphasis on Tom Johnson's democratic programme and the important values and ideals espoused in it. It was beautifully portrayed. The event was organised in a really tasteful and appropriate way. I commend the communications unit, the Oireachtas staff, the Ceann Comhairle's office and all involved in organising it. The Labour Party had its own event on Saturday to launch its rewritten democratic programme for the 21st Century. We will be highlighting it during the year. Senator Dolan spoke about how to reignite interest. It is really important that all of us look in all sorts of different ways at commemorating and highlighting the centenary of the First Dáil and ensure that different aspects of it are honoured and commemorated.

I thank the Leader for organising the statements on Brexit. They are timely. It was in marked contrast to the shambles in Westminster to see the Dáil and Seanad holding the joint sitting in the Mansion House yesterday. We will have an opportunity to talk about Brexit later.

I echo the words of others in condemning the car bombing in Derry and those involved in carrying it out. It reminds us of the really serious and very real fears that a hard border will follow if Britain crashes out of the EU on 29 March. The EU Commission confirmed today that a no-deal Brexit will mean the return of a hard border. That is a really serious worry for everyone.

I ask the Leader for a debate on the follow-up to the legislation we passed just before Christmas, which I am glad to see is now in effect. I refer to the legislation allowing for terminations of pregnancy. Many of us were concerned last week by reports of one particular case in the Coombe Hospital which was reported as being dealt with in a way that was somewhat troubling. I hope we will see less of that. The publicity in respect of the case in question was of concern generally. Other events in recent weeks have shown us the really urgent need for the legislation to protect women accessing services at GP clinics and hospitals. The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, promised that the relevant legislation would emerge in early course this year. I will be pressing for a debate on it and for bringing the legislation forward. As far as I know, the Bill in question has not yet been drafted. We need to know when it will be drafted. I ask the Leader to make inquiries in the Department of Health about when we will see that legislation because it is essential that those seeking to access services are protected from harassment and intimidation when they do so.

I express my satisfaction on seeing the first conviction reported today under the Swedish or Nordic model. My dear friend and colleague, Senator Norris, will not agree with me.