Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Gavan agus le Le Chéile don Sábháilteacht, atá lonnaithe i Luimneach, as an Bille seo a chur le chéile dúinn. I do not have a great deal more to say beyond what my colleagues arguing for this Bill have had to say thus far. They have made a compelling case and some have reflected on their own personal experiences. I am very conscious of that. I thank them for sharing those experiences and stories because it gets to the real crux of why this legislation is, unfortunately, required.At the heart of this is keeping people who are pregnant and who are accessing healthcare safe. Sin é. That is what it seeks to do. No one is seeking that diminish the right to protest. I will defend that right with every fibre of my being. However, as colleagues have said, some people are taking a protest deliberately to a place where vulnerable people are trying to access healthcare in private pertaining to their own personal medical requirements and their own lives. Why would these protesters do that? Why would they even want to do that? What would drive them to go and stand outside a healthcare provider, sooner than standing outside the gates of Leinster House, which is the far more appropriate location, in my opinion?

I want to take issue briefly with some of what was said earlier on about the Together for Safety organisation. If one goes on their Facebook page, which is open and public, it becomes apparent fairly quickly that they are not faceless. They stand proudly in public. They have had their photos taken launching this Bill, appropriately again, outside the gates of this building. I was here in the last Seanad, in the run up to the repeal legislation. Believe me, I had lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of anonymous and, at times, extreme correspondence sent to me. I know faceless organisations and faceless lobby campaign groups when I see them. Together for Safety does not meet that description.

I also welcome the fact that this Bill, which will hopefully pass tonight, comes on the back of a similar Bill that passed on Second Stage in the Assembly in the North. This is an all-Ireland issue. Women's healthcare and healthcare more generally is an all-Ireland issue. It is important that we approach it in that regard. Until all of these designated zones are safe and all of these healthcare providers and facilities are safe, unfortunately the tragic reality is none of them will be safe. We have to ensure we work collaboratively and together to ensure access to healthcare is safe throughout the Thirty-two Counties.

Le bheith ionraic, is é sin mo mhéid ar an díospóireacht seo. I think colleagues have articulated the rationale for this legislation well. I understand and appreciate fully that there are differences of opinion in this House and indeed outside it. However, I hope that none of us is approaching or will approach each other with any hostility or any thought of intimidation. We value the fact that we have different opinions and are allowed to express them here peacefully, democratically and in the full knowledge that we will not be subject to that kind of intimidation or threat. I hope we can get to the point where women and people who are accessing healthcare are able to be as confident and assured in their safety when accessing it.