There are many Members in this House who would come from a legal background, and, indeed, many in the Lower House too.

Many would have vested interests in this legislation, so I-----

Right, okay. Thank you. I will consider that withdrawal and-----

Finally, I want to speak on a broader concern, the erosion of free speech in this country. We have seen the Government hesitate on hate speech laws, failing to provide clarity on what will or will not be criminalised. We have seen proposals to include a so-called Kneecap provision in anti-terror legislation, a clause mirroring the very same one being used to persecute Irish artists in the UK, with language so vague it could be used to target half the country for their views. We now see a defamation Bill that fails …

I have because-----

Sorry, I might have gone over time, but this is-----

No, I am actually talking about this Bill - defamation.

If you will allow me-----

Sorry, you interrupted me, Chair. Surely that time should be allocated back to me. I am nearly finished.

This is not the Ireland I want to live in. This is not the Ireland I-----

I think-----

Can I-----

Thank you, Vice Chair.

They are on the record of the House now so that is all.

On a point of order, and for clarity, I did not withdraw the comments. I said I would think about it and rise again if I wanted to withdraw the comments. I had a lot more to say but unfortunately I was cut short and I did not get my five minutes.

I thank Nicole for sharing her personal story. There are many women in this Chamber who could share their stories, too, but today this is about Nicole's story. I want to thank her for introducing this legislation, which marks a significant compassionate step forward in how we as a society and as a legislature recognise the reality of pregnancy loss. The Bill acknowledges something that many families have known for far too long – that the loss of a pregnancy, whether at six weeks or 16 weeks, is not just a medical e…

I know. I support the Bill. I urge the House to consider what we must do next. We need a broader conversation – one that includes the criminal justice system, the rights of the victim and the recognition of the unborn life in cases of violence.

I was probably one of the strongest opponents of Ireland opting in to this migration pact in this House along with a small number of Independent Senators. People are entering this country illegally and when people enter illegally, they have to be dealt with and returned. People are sick of people entering this country illegally and not facing the consequences of it. The Minister stated that the proposals were being accepted to ensure Ireland's immigration system is robust. I do not believe it is robust, I do not be…

The Women's Aid 2024 annual report published last week paints a harrowing picture of domestic abuse in this country. Among the most disturbing findings is that 188 pregnant, post-partum or post-termination women were supported by Women's Aid last year due to intimate partner abuse. This is not just a statistic; it is a national disgrace. Tragically, this issue is not abstract. Just this weekend, a 27-year-old mother of two was murdered in Donaghadee in Northern Ireland. She was 34 weeks' pregnant; two lives lost, t…

Hear, hear.