Seanad report: Fianna Fáil senator Don Lydon's contention that politicians who supported embryonic stem-cell research would be voting for murder drew criticism from House leader Mary O'Rourke and from Opposition benches.
Brian Hayes, Fine Gael leader in the House, had earlier said that he welcomed the fact that there was a difference of opinion within the Government on the issue and that such differences existed in political parties, including his own.
He warned that an attempt to re-run the divisive and opportunistic debates of the 1980s would bring about a major blow to the body politic. "If ever there was a need for a free vote on an issue of personal conscience, it is on this one."
Don Lydon (FF): "To murder or not to murder."
Mr Hayes said the idea that political parties could take collective views on an issue of personal conscience was just ridiculous.
Joe O'Toole (Ind) said he took grave exception to Mr Lydon's appalling comment. Stressing the need for regulation in this area, he said they could not permit a state of affairs where ordinary people could be led down the garden path by quacks.
Brendan Ryan (Lab) said it was wrong that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment should decide the views of this country and of the Government on an issue with such profound ethical implications.
John Dardis (PD), deputy Government leader in the House, said it would be the most unfortunate outcome if this matter were to be politicised, because freedom of conscience was extremely important in this context.
Labhrás Ó Murchú (FF) said he was worried that there was an element to the debate at present that was more commercial than ethical.
David Norris (Ind) said he hoped there would be no "attempt at instruction from the Vatican to people as to how to vote based on their religious affiliation".
Mary Henry (Ind) said that among the issues that needed to be debated was whether treatments found to be useful as a result of this research would not be allowed in this country.
House leader Mary O'Rourke said that everybody's point of view should be tolerated. "People have strong feelings one way or another, but I do not condone the use of words like 'murderer'. There is no room in such a debate for that kind of name-calling. I dread that in the next nine months, black and white stances will be taken on this debate. This is not a black-and-white issue."
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The opening up by The Irish Times of its archives to make them available to schools and researchers worldwide was an "extraordinary and mind-boggling" initiative, Joe O'Toole said. Other newspapers should follow this fine example.
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The Israelis did not want to rescue their abducted soldier, Terry Leyden (FF) said.
"They want him murdered because it suits their cause to go back into Gaza. If you want a soldier released you don't attack and take out power stations and bridges and go door-to-door in Gaza. You make a negotiated settlement to get that soldier released. What they are trying to do is eliminate the Palestinian state."
Mr Leyden called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to seek a UN Security Council meeting.