I share my colleague, Senator Bacik's view on the need for our debates to be decorous at all times. However, sometimes challenging things must be said and I would not like to see freedom of speech curtailed, not too much anyway. I must confess to occasional feelings of enjoyment at the drama which can take place. What really bothers me about the coalition's behaviour is how it treats people, facts and language. I was very disappointed at the tone of the Taoiseach's public comments on the proposed referendum on the Seanad. Several people with no particular axe to grind told me they wondered how statesmanlike such language actually was. There was a tendency to denigrate and apportion blame which I do not think was appropriate.

There is widespread concern that the coalition is engaging in spin about its proposed abortion legislation, starting with the title of course, which mentions protection of life during pregnancy. There is widespread concern this is about directly targeting innocent human children. It has nothing to do with the sad facts of the Savita case. It is all about how the suicide ground will be exploited and turned into abortion on request. People like to have rows about church and State, but it is interesting that the language of misleading the people has come into the debate. This is the feeling out there. Between 30,000 and 40,000 people gathered for the national vigil for life in Merrion Square on Saturday and they feel the Government is seriously misleading the people and proposing something very harmful. This was the largest gathering in this year of The Gathering as far as I am aware.

Is the Senator looking for a debate?

Yes. I have asked previously for a debate on the abortion issue before it comes before us in the form of legislation. I also call for a debate on the quality of engagement by the Government with the public, the facts and the language. With regard to the national vigil for life it is worth stating the pro-life movement is growing.

We are all pro-life.

It is young and it is growing. This will not be the end of the matter if the Government seeks to use overwhelming force of numbers to push through the legislation. It will be the beginning of things. A sad new chapter will open in Irish life if the Government forces abortion through in the way it plans. Things will never be quite the same again. The pro-life movement will grow in strength and this much is clear.

I support what my colleague, Senator Bacik, stated about a debate following publication of the Law Reform Commission report on sentencing. I would welcome a move away from mandatory life sentences.

I must ask the Senator to conclude.

We need Judicial Council guidance on sentencing. We need to move away from the Executive's role in determining precisely how long a person spends in prison. This should be a matter for the Judiciary when sentencing and there should be sufficient discretion. A statutory-based parole board is vital in this area also. I call for this debate and I hope it takes place.