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Video: Labour senator in emotional appeal over graphic abortion language

Tensions are running high in the Seanad as the debate on the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill continues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsEw5Hce2Pk

YouTube: Hugh O’Connell

A LABOUR SENATOR has made an emotional appeal to colleagues to cease using what she said is “disgraceful” language as the debate on the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill continues.

Marie Moloney said that there were young children sitting in the Seanad public gallery and those listening at home who would be shocked by the language and revealed her own crisis pregnancy where she lost a baby.

“The phraseology that is being used in here today is absolutely disgraceful,” she said, visibly upset as she appealed to the chair of the upper house to “stop this kind of talking here, there is no need for it.”

Shortly after that, Fianna Fáil senator Jim Walsh – whose graphic desceription of abortions caused controversy earlier this week – apologised if Maloney was upset but said that he was not sorry “if people cannot stomach the graphic nature, that’s the reality of it”.

He was then challenged by Labour senator John Gilroy on a point of order:

YouTube: Hugh O’Connell

Read: Senator Jim Walsh criticised for abortion description

Read: Here are the 15 senators who opposed the abortion legislation

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