Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Today, Jennifer Bray of The Irish Timesreported, and the Minister for Health has announced, the so-called independent chair of the review into the State's abortion laws. Ms Bray's article states that all of this is following a tender process. She does not say, and I do not understand why, that it is not the open tender process to which the Minister and his officials committed last December. This is because, as the Minister revealed last week, a small number of people were contacted and invited to express interest in the role of independent chair. I do not know the person who has been appointed and I wish her well. Her name is Ms Marie O'Shea and she has an important job to do now. It is vital to look at this legislation through the lens of how it has impacted on women's welfare but, equally, how it has impacted on the welfare of unborn children from the point of view of cruelty issues and minimising of abortion rates, all of which should remain desirable objectives in any country that would want to call itself civilised. I have to say the opaque nature of the process that led to Ms O'Shea's appointment does not inspire confidence. There is ground be made up here.

In far happier news, I would like to welcome-----