On behalf of the Green Party, I am pleased to support this Bill. I thank Deputy Cairns for bringing it forward. During the 2018 referendum, I joined with representatives from other political parties, Independents and people who have never been involved in a political campaign before in our local Together for Yes organisation in Dublin West. The central case we made on every door as we campaigned was that Ireland needed to listen to women and respect their decisions about their bodies. When the referendum was passed decisively, Ireland understood that we were finally listening to women. However, the continuation of the three-day rule does not do that. Instead, it carries on the paternalistic view that women do not know their own minds. Those who are going to vote against this Bill this evening have to ask themselves who that vote will serve? It will not serve the women of Ireland. We know from work done in the National Maternity Hospital and through Women's Aid that pregnancy is a high-risk time for women who are in controlling or abusive relationships. If a woman gets out of her house to see a doctor, is she going to get a second opportunity to come back in three days' time, knowing that she is in increased danger? We know it is difficult to get GP appointments in many parts of the country right now. What about women who are at the edge of the 12-week period? Those three days could be enough to force them to bring a pregnancy to full term or see their healthcare provider be criminalised for giving them access to abortion pills. I cannot think of another healthcare issue where a person's bodily autonomy is so blatantly ignored. We have to ask ourselves why the decisions that women make about their own bodies not be trusted. I welcome the fact that the Government is permitting a free vote this evening. However, I have real worries that the concerns the Government has raised in the media about this Bill will be used subsequently to delay and ultimately derail the core policy goal behind it. Such an approach cannot be accepted. It is vital that this Bill gets the support of Dáil Éireann and that it is not sidelined and left to rot in committee. It must be engaged with. If the Department has concerns, let them be fleshed out on Committee Stage. We need a commitment from the Government, and particularly the Minister, that a positive vote on this Bill tonight will see the Government engage seriously with the question of removing the three-day wait, bringing this matter back to the Dáil rapidly in order that this paternalistic treatment of women in our law can finally be ended.

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