Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I did not speak earlier because I did not want to impede the passage of this legislation within the specific time. However, because of filibustering in the Chamber, we had to go over time. This debate and the result of it are important but I also want to acknowledge that the Minister of State had an important meeting at 3.30 p.m., which she postponed to be able to stay with us. I want to acknowledge the Minister of State's time and commitment to dealing with this right through to the final outcome, which means the Bill has passed.

I want to thank those who led on this, particularly Senator Gavan. I was pleased to join with Together for Safety for the photocall outside of Leinster House to show the cross-party support for this, which was important. No one should be harassed, insulted or intimidated in any way when accessing healthcare services in our country. A right of access applies to women who need to access termination or abortion services. The will of the people was made clear in the referendum and I know Senator Mullen was trying to rerun the referendum several times today. We have a duty to act on the will of the people and ensure that everyone who needs to access vital and legal healthcare has the opportunity to do so. To use talk about dictatorship, flirting with fascism, Ministers pandering and negative outworking from repeal is repulsive.

We have all heard stories and read newspapers and we have listened to stories today of how people have been intimidated. There is clear evidence that anti-choice protests and activities are adversely affecting women's ability to access healthcare, including abortion care, freely and without interference. There is also evidence that demonstrates that healthcare providers are being adversely affected. The point has been made that freedom of speech is a cornerstone of any democracy, including ours, and I fully support individuals' right to associate and speak their minds. However, no one has the right to block another person's access to vital healthcare. Every person in this State has a right to attend a medical appointment, whatever it is, free from fear, intimidation and harassment. We must provide compassionate and dignified termination of pregnancy services and the most important aspect of that is that women accessing the service can do so with certainty about the quality and safety of the care they receive. We owe that to the women of Ireland because we have not always treated them with the respect and dignity they deserve. As a society we have not always valued women in a meaningful way and that it is as true of healthcare as it is of any other sector of Irish society.