This morning, some Members have welcomed the new abortion legislation, but I cannot share that welcome. I do not believe it is good legislation, nor that there is any evidence to show it is good for women. I do not believe it is good for society and it is certainly not good for the innocent baby whose life will be ended and who will not be given the opportunity to realise his or her full potential. I have always felt that human life is sacrosanct, that it is a human right and that this is a basic tenet of any civilised society. Once we breach that tenet, we enter unknown territory which will impact on other aspects of respect for life. I suppose we all hope there is still a chance to pull back and that perhaps in the health committee some sense will come forward to show that we are not really helping to solve the problems that have brought about this legislation.

I have made the point here from the very beginning of this traumatic debate that we should of course be respectful of other people's opinions. I have always endeavoured to be so. It is also right that we have the opportunity and the courage to express our own views. We should not feel in any way intimidated in expressing those views. I hope I am one of the many who will speak for those who have no voice of their own at the moment. I hope this will be kept in mind as this debate continues to develop.

I agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien's call for us not to have a debate in this House on the protection of life during pregnancy Bill until after the health committee has concluded its proceedings. This is in line with what Senator Ó Murchú has just said. We are all pro-life and I agree with much of what he has just said. This is a complex and sensitive issue and we need to stay calm. None of us wants to cause division. The issue is about the life of the mother and of the unborn baby. Nobody wants to kill any unborn babies. We must be conscious of the fact that abortion is prohibited in Ireland and no change is envisaged in that regard. No change in the abortion law is proposed. We are all concerned about the issue of suicide and that is why we should wait for the conclusions of the health committee. However, it is necessary that we have legal clarity for medical practitioners on where medically necessary terminations are permissible. Of course we must work to save both lives, but the life of the unborn baby is dependent on the life of the mother. I would never wish to be in a situation in which I would have to make a decision, but we must provide that legal clarity. We may not like doing so, but we must face up to the issue. We must remember that what is being proposed is within the parameters of the Constitution. There is no constitutional change proposed and there is no change in the law. Let us continue to be calm and undivided and await the committee's findings. I agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien that we should not have a debate on the matter until after the health committee's proceedings.