Like Senator O’Brien, I wish to begin by also offering condolences to the Bolger family from Passage East in Waterford. The accident that happened at sea yesterday was an utter tragedy. All of our thoughts and condolences are with their family.

On a happier note I remind colleagues that today is Yeats Day. Our colleague, Senator Susan O’Keeffe, is in Sligo today and is very involved in the organisation of the day to celebrate the achievements and life of the former Senator, poet and cultural icon, William Butler Yeats. There are lots of plans afoot in Sligo to have celebrations worthy of Bloomsday in Dublin. We all very much hope it will really take off this year and in future years.

I welcome the publication by the Government late last night of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. We had an extensive debate on the heads of the Bill in this Chamber under the auspices of the Joint Committee on Health and Children. Many colleagues, including me, participated in the debate. It is very welcome to see that the Bill is now greatly improved from the heads we debated during the committee hearings. I am proud that the Government is finally facing up to its responsibility as legislators and putting the Bill before us as legislators. There are key changes in the Bill that will make it a much more effective and accessible procedure whereby women might vindicate their constitutional right to life and whereby the constitutional right to life of the unborn might also be vindicated. Some of the key changes, including the definition of appropriate institutions-----

Is Senator Bacik debating the matter now?

We can debate the issue in due course. As I said, there are key improvements in the Bill as published.

In the context of the debate, it is also worthy of note that The Irish Times opinion poll today shows a clear majority support the Bill and for abortion to be legalised in a much wider range of circumstances. I note also that 81% of people are in favour of abortion to be legal in cases of rape.

Is Senator Bacik asking the Leader for a debate?

I seek a debate on the matter.

It depends on the question.

I seek a debate.

Yes, we will have a debate but not now.

I seek a debate on how we can widen the provision of abortion beyond that which is provided for in the Bill, and which is our responsibility as legislators to provide within the terms of the Constitution.

Senator Bacik is getting worse.

Senator Bacik should be allowed to speak without interruption.

Give an inch and they take a mile.

Senator Bacik should be allowed to speak without interruption.

I represent the majority of people who want to see abortion legalised on a wider range of terms.

A Chathaoirligh, on a point of order, we are not having a debate on the matter.

I am asking for a debate.

Senator Bacik is asking for a debate.

What she is doing is introducing her points in the debate in the House now. It is unfair.

No, I am not speaking about the Bill anymore.

Senator Bacik is going to bring about a debate on the Order of Business.

Does Senator Bacik have a question for the Leader? Senator O’Brien should resume his seat.

I do not interrupt other colleagues. I am perfectly entitled to seek a debate.

Does Senator Bacik have a question for the Leader?

Yes, I do. I have a question for the Leader.

Senator Bacik is monotonous.

I wish to ask the Leader whether we could have a debate after we have passed - as I hope we will – the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill.

If we pass the legislation.

After we have passed it.

If.

Senator Bacik should be allowed to speak without interruption.

Senator Bacik should not be so presumptuous.

Senator Bacik should be allowed to speak without interruption.

I hope we will pass the Bill.

Senator Bacik hopes it will be passed.

Following that, I wish to ask the Leader for a debate on how we might amend the Constitution to ensure that abortion might be provided in a wider range of circumstances in line with the wishes of the people-----

It has already started. One could predict that abortion on demand will be sought.

-----as expressed in the opinion poll to which I referred and in other opinion polls that were conducted on the question in the recent past.

Abortion on demand.