Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

As co-signatories, we fully support the amendment. I welcome and thank Together for Safety for all the work it has done on this legislation.

The Bill is about patient safety and well-being and also the safety and well-being of doctors, GPs and their staff. We are not just talking about the people who want to access reproductive healthcare but also the staff. As Senator Gavan alluded to, the fact that some of these protests have been timed to take place at the same time as appointments is extremely concerning situation for staff and patients. It is also very frightening and worrying for prospective patients. People who will have no choice but to avail, unfortunately, of healthcare in Limerick hospital know there may potentially be a timed protest when they go into the hospital. That is a terrifying fact and I hope the Minister is taking it very seriously.

I hope the Bill will address the chill effect that these protests are designed to achieve. The actions of the protestors are rooted in judgment and not in compassion. The strategy has been used for decades in the US, UK and elsewhere in Europe. I cannot comprehend that people feel they have a right to cause hurt and upset instead of showing care and compassion for fellow people. There are legitimate means to express disquiet over abortion in Ireland, which do not hurt, impede, insult or upset people as they access necessary healthcare.

The main purpose of this Bill is to provide dignity while obtaining healthcare. The vote on this matter four years ago was resounding and we have waited four years for this legislation, which was promised a long time ago. As Senator Warfield noted, the Government has not tabled any amendments. Is that because the Government is happy with the legislation and does not see a reason to make any changes or does it plan to write its own legislation? If the latter is the case, why are we proceeding in the way we are? Will the Government support the passage of the Bill through the Houses? Has the Government not tabled amendments because it agrees with everything that has been said?

To speak to the amendments, I love to see the strengthening of references to trade unions. The stronger the reference, the better. We will support all the amendments.

Amendment No. 11 deals with the power of a member of An Garda Síochána to give direction. If there is an issue with that, I ask the Minister to give us guidance. Is the amendment written in a way that reflects what the Garda Síochána believes it would be able to do? There have been some concerns expressed about the powers of An Garda Síochána and what gardaí will and will not be able to do, and whether it is appropriate. I am interested in hearing the Minister's thoughts on the proposed new section. I specifically want to know whether it is moving in the right direction? Does the Minister or An Garda Síochána have concerns about whether this guidance and legislation are appropriate?

This Bill has been a long time coming. We need to get our act together. We had a very clear "Yes" vote in the referendum and a very clear promise that there would be legislation. It is time that we got it done.