Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will move on to the other purpose of this Bill, which relates to the need for access to be universal because, as Senator Moynihan said, universality is an important part of addressing the stigma and shame around menstruation. We help to break that down through the visibility and accessibility of products. Universal access brings an end to the days of shoving the tampon up a sleeve or having to ask friends or strangers if they have spares, regardless of incomes. Universal access in every bathroom across the country normalises what is a normal biological process that has been stigmatised by years of misogynistic culture. Access to choice is also important, as is a commitment to demanding more sustainable products and practices from the manufacturers.

When I worked on the single-use plastic directive in Europe, rather than regulate the manufacturing companies to reduce the plastic content, the Commission wanted to increase the taxes on them, further punishing women for being women. We need to put pressure on the EU to reform the VAT system on the newer period products so there are no punitive taxes. We also need reform in the manner in which it regulates period products because greater transparency is also needed in labelling and further research into products.

I welcome the Bill and the manner in which it came about. We all need to work together. I hope that the Chairperson will give me the benefit of a couple of seconds to read two verses of a poem by Salena Godden:

You should see what I made red

You should see what I made red

You should see my art

The sheets, the sheets, the sheets

I made all the sheets red

All the bed a pool of red heat

...

But,

This blood does not come from violence

...

This blood does not come from murder

This blood is not my death

...

And yet this blood disgusts us the most

More than any blood

More than the blood on the hands of man's bloody war

This blood disgusts us most

This shameful blood, this quiet blood

Shush! Don't mention the lady blood

Shush! Don't mention this discreet blue lady blood.