Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am concerned by the Minister of State's response. It seems the Government is walking away from its commitment in the programme for Government to introduce safe access zone legislation. This will be truly disturbing to an awful lot of people in this country given the struggles for many years to overturn that appalling constitutional Act. The Minister of State does not appear to be aware that there are ongoing protests outside maternity hospitals. The response he has given suggests the Government does not believe there is a problem here. The Government committed in the programme for Government to legislate for this issue. The Minister of State's response gives no such commitment. It basically says that things are fine and there is existing legislation in place, if needed. The existing legislation is not working or applicable.

Is the Government walking away from this commitment? If so, it is a disgrace and it will not be forgiven.