Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan

Yesterday.

Seanad Eireann.

During a debate on the Sinn Féin-sponsored Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services Bill 2021, which would ensure ‘free and unencumbered access to facilities providing legal termination of pregnancy services’, Pro-Life Senator Ronan Mullen said:

“When the Bill was first introduced in November, part of the justification cited for its introduction was supposedly intimidatory protests outside abortion facilities in Limerick city instigated, it was claimed, by abortion opponents.

“My colleague, with whom I get on with very well personally, Senator [Paul] Gavan, repeated that allegation and more today when he talked about people targeting other people who are going into facilities to access abortion.

“…I must say to Senator Gavan that it is one thing to say that on the basis of information he believes to be correct, but one month after the Senator said what he said in December 2021, the University of Limerick Hospitals Group issued a public statement confirming that they had received no complaints about protests outside the hospital.

“The hospital spokesperson acknowledged that they were “satisfied that there is no issue with regard to safety of access at University Maternity Hospital Limerick”. It was not just the Garda Commissioner, it was also the Limerick hospital.

“I would have expected then that Senator Gavan would correct the record, but I recall no effort being made to correct the record by Senator Gavan or others who disseminated the false and unfounded allegations against, let us call them, the pro-life supporters in the first instance. I wonder if this is because it suits a political agenda to allow a lie to go halfway around the world because the truth will still not have its boots on?”

[After prolonged argument across the chamber]

Senator Paul Gavan said:

“The specific issue Senator Mullen raised was in relation to University of Limerick Hospitals Group and its statement. I have nothing to apologise for. I have no reason to correct the record of the House because what the hospitals group said was that it did not record any complaints. We know a great number of complaints were made – indeed, the people in the Chamber today are witnesses to those complaints. Therefore, there is no need for me to correct the record of the House. I must say on the record that in the six years I have been here I have never accused anyone in this Chamber of telling lies. I am disgusted such a charge was made against me today.”

Anyone?

Previously: Limerick hospital group says it has no record of anti-abortion protests