I am standing here as a man, and to be honest, I cannot imagine a situation where I would be told by my doctor to go away to have a think about things and come back in three days. It is just wrong, it does not make sense and it is not right. Why would anyone be told, when it is a health issue, to go away and think about it? How patronising is that? This legislation is about protecting women, helping them at a very difficult time and giving them all the support we can. I am a father of two daughters - two brilliant girls. One is a teenager and the older girl is 20-years old. They are kind and intelligent. I trust them, I trust their friends and I trust their peers. I trust women to make their own decisions. Why am I getting involved in their healthcare? I will be there to support them and to be with them but at the end of the day, this is their decision and that is what we must respect - women's decisions. I think about Ann Lovett, who died 42 years ago in a grotto. I think about Sheila Hodgers, who left two children behind her. I think of Savita Halappanavar, who would have turned 44 years of age this year. So many other stories over the decades were brushed under the carpet and that we never knew about but some people know - maybe their families or friends know. Those women who had tragic deaths, and all those tragic stories, are why we are here this evening to support this legislation. I thank the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, the Minister for Health and the Minister of State for coming along with us. I know not everyone can come with us because some people oppose it but I ask everyone to respect the debate and process because at the end of the day, this is about women's healthcare and trusting women to do the right thing. I want to send a clear message: this is above politics, politicians and above me as a man. This is about women being respected and being given the support and the trust we should all have in them.

Sentiment score: 0.29