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

The very essence of democratic choice is that those who are elected by the people may come into this House and freely choose how they wish to vote. I have every respect for Deputy Coppinger's vote, just as I have every respect for the votes of the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and of Deputies O'Shea, Ó Muirí, Kerrane and every single person in this House. I respect their vote, their perspective, how they represent their constituents and what they are doing here. That is the democratic process.
Citizens' assemblies provide an important informative process but it is not a democratic process.
We are entitled to make choices about what we debate. Despite not agreeing with many parts of that Bill - though I agree with some of it - I would always choose to have that debate, but my choice is my choice as the Deputy's choice is hers. That is the essence of what she and I are saying to each other. I have such regard for listening to and respecting other voices. We reached the opportunity of the 2018 referendum precisely because of that approach and precisely because of an attempt to build consensus and to enable and facilitate that listening and respect. As Minister for Health, that is the approach I would like to continue to take.

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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