Abortion Services
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-22
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Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (FG), Dún Laoghaire

I really do hear the Deputy. I respect that there are so many different views on this issue. I am broadly pro-choice and voted that way but I am not unreservedly pro-choice. Certainly, there are many elements of Deputy Murphy's Bill I simply do not agree with and cannot find a way to agree with. As Minister, I have tried to facilitate the broadest debate. I really do respect the very different opinions and the very different articulations of those opinions on all sides of the House. Prior to becoming Minister, I was involved with the family planning group. I think I am the first Minister to invite the pro-life groups into the Department of Health to hear their perspectives. I want to ensure all voices and perspectives on this issues are heard.
I would like to see the greatest of respect for individual personal choice. I respect that the Deputy says consensus is not necessary. In fact, in a legislative Chamber, consensus is very necessary. That is why I am somebody who tries to take every step to listen to everybody and reach a consensus, which is what is necessary in a legislative Chamber.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-01-22/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:32+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-22