The Taoiseach recently told The Irish Times that he was happy to have led a Government that repealed the eighth amendment. However, he is not so happy to make changes to the legislation that are clearly needed. He said he would have to think long and hard before making any changes to the legislation. The Bill I put to the House that passed Second Stage here has now been referred to the committee by the Ceann Comhairle. I have written to ask the committee to proceed with it. Will that Bill be allowed to progress as soon as possible and without any disturbance from Government parties, particularly in light of the very strident vote against the amendment the Minister for Health tried to introduce to delay the legislation for a year? While we delay, women and girls are still having to travel, often for very tragic reasons.

This is now a matter for the committee and I cannot speak on behalf of its chair or its members. They will have to make a decision on timelines. The Deputy asked whether there would be a free vote here in the Chamber and there was. There will also be a free vote on Committee Stage.