I ask the Senator to finish now.

I have waited for 35 years and I am almost finished.

I understand that but in fairness to everybody else-----

Motherhood, when it came, freely chosen by me, has been the very best role I have ever had, by far. My daughter is here tonight. It has been exhilarating, exhausting, exciting and joyous. My daughter and my son have given me so many challenges, as well as learning and love. When I think of my lovely daughter, now a young woman, I see in her the attributes of someone who would be a wonderful mother, if that is what she chooses when the time is right for her, as it was for me when I had her; a wanted child.

I also think of my niece and all my daughter's friends and all the young women I worked beside in September. What I want for them - and I hope this can be supported - is an Ireland where women, including women of childbearing age, are treated with respect, their health, bodily autonomy and choices are respected and protected, including the gift of motherhood if that is right for them.