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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Abortion Bill sitting time

Summary

Deputy Coppinger argues the abortion Bill may require a Friday sitting and should be taken quickly, warning against delay and asking for assurances on training and service delivery. The Chair repeatedly rules that this cannot become a debate, and the House then agrees the business proposals for today, tomorrow and Thursday.

I wanted to give notice of a matter. Given the experience of dealing with the abortion legislation last week and the urgency of the Bill, we should potentially factor in a Friday sitting. I raise this with Deputies now in order that they can mentally prepare themselves for that. We should also consider the Bill on Thursday because what we saw last week was a clear attempt to delay this legislation for as long as possible in order to allow a fictional crisis to emerge over the weekend at a doctors' conference. I am assured by doctors who have contacted me that this involved a minority of a minority of doctors who love publicity and want to give the impression that this service will not be provided in January.

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It is outrageous to describe it as a fictional crisis. That is rubbish.

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We cannot have a debate.

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Who put Deputy Coppinger in charge of the doctors in Ireland?

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There is something exceptional about this legislation. While all Deputies are entitled to speak for as long as they want, people have voted en masse.

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Deputy Coppinger is talking more than anyone else. They held it up.

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Please, Deputies. Deputy Coppinger has the floor.

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Women who are now finding out they are pregnant and who are in crisis will potentially not get a service. The Minister must provide assurance today that all of the training will be provided for doctors and everything possible will be done to ensure this service that was promised to women will be provided.

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We cannot get into a debate now. If there is a requirement for a sitting on Friday, it can be considered on Thursday by the Business Committee.

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It looks like we will need it.

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Is the proposal for dealing with today's business agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with tomorrow's business agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Thursday's business agreed to? Agreed.

There are 23 minutes remaining and 23 Deputies offering. I call Deputy Micheál Martin.

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