Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank all contributors to the debate. It has been, for the most part, a reasoned and powerful debate. I am struck by the personal testimony of a couple of speakers in particular. I thank them for their courage in speaking out so strongly this evening.

In the five minutes available to me, I will try to deal with a couple of the points raised. I will start with the unfortunate reference to my friends and colleagues in Together for Safety as a faceless campaign group. I have known these fantastic campaigners for many years. We soldiered together through the referendum on repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. They are some of the most inspirational people I have ever worked with. They have built a nationwide campaign on the back of a courageous call to stand up for women's rights and to fight to equality. I am very proud to be associated with them. They are far from faceless. As mentioned by my colleague, Senator Ó Donnghaile, they were outside the gates of Leinster House a few weeks ago. They are the among the finest people I have ever worked with. It is disappointing to hear that type of reference made in this House. It is clear the Senator concerned simply does not know anything about the group. That type of comment is unacceptable.

I would like to raise with the Minister the very important point made by my colleague, Senator Moynihan, with regard to abortion being covered as an emergency medical treatment for the purpose of travelling. That is an important issue. The Minister did not respond to Senator Moynihan on that point. I accept that he had a number of points to cover and that he might not have had an opportunity to respond to Senator Moynihan, but I am happy to give way to him if he would like to respond on that point now.