David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister, in particular, and his advisers for being here with us this evening. I thank the Bills Office which was of great help in preparing both the explanatory memorandum and the legislation itself, which does in fact fulfil the spirit of the Scally report.

I will make a point to the Minister that I had intended to make but did not get around to. Can he please consider putting Les Martin on the committee? The Minister spoke about having patient representatives. This is the man who led the whole programme. He led the entire thing. Nobody knows more about it than he does.

I wish to refer, without being contentious, to Senator Clifford-Lee and her comments about my linking the situation to abortion. Let me explain. Abortion is a regrettable situation. I do not think anybody feels they are not a complete human being without having had an abortion but I have supported the right of women to have abortion from very early on. I believe I was the first Irish politician to put abortion on an election manifesto in 1977. I do feel strongly about the rights of women in this difficult situation. That is all I would like to say in explanation.

I thank my colleagues here from all sides of the House. It is quite unusual to have utter unanimity, which I very much welcome. Thank you very much.