Seanad debates

Tuesday, 25 May 2021

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

9:00 am

Photo of Sharon KeoganSharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of the slow roll-out of vaccines in County Meath. I am not sure if the Leader is aware of it, but there is only one vaccination centre in County Meath. The population of County Meath is 210,000 and the vaccination centre is in Simonstown. Some people have been given appointments in Dublin, Drogheda and Mullingar. I have raised this issue with the HSE and I have asked it to consider the provision of an additional centre, be that in Ashbourne or Fairyhouse. The vaccination programme in County Meath is a very slow process. Although it has been a success in many other areas, County Meath appears to have been left behind.

Last night, the Seanad debated the issue of reproductive leave for people who have had miscarriages, during which we heard about the importance of recognising the loss of a baby at any gestational age and the need to provide support to families to cope. However, in repealing the eighth amendment, we effectively viewed the unborn as a non-person. We all want to support reproductive health, but we have to look at the rights of the unborn as well. It is difficult to understand how what we give them on the one hand, we take away with the other. Are they recognised in Irish law or not? Should they be shown the compassion and humanity afforded to all other persons or not? We all voted in whatever way was right for us, but I do not think many people understood the ramifications of their votes. We were told abortions would be rare, but there have been 6,666 abortions. In late-term abortions, potassium chloride is injected into the heart of the baby. This is the same product used on death row to execute people. There is no obligation in our legislation to give the unborn any pain relief during abortions. I was shocked to note that the website informs people who have taken abortion pills to flush the babies down the toilet.

Last night's debate was compassionate and open. For me, it brought back a lot of memories and I had a very lonely journey home last night. I would like to think that when this House comes to review the abortion legislation, it would be compassionate, including to the unborn.

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