Richard O'Donoghue defends record, demands respect
Richard O'Donoghue spoke in the chamber about receiving heckles and being mischaracterised, rejecting labels that he is "far right" or "anti-gay" and defending his conduct. He argued the motion is fundamentally about health and care and insisted everyone in the country deserves healthcare regardless of circumstance.
He described repeated heckling from other deputies and urged colleagues to show courtesy and listen. He protested being called "far right" and said assumptions about his views have been made without knowing him, also referencing remarks about Conor Sheehan and comments that had put down Limerick.
He identified himself as a father and grandparent and said he has a son who is gay, stressing that colleagues do not know him and should not make assumptions. He said he will "respect and help" anyone in the gallery or community and framed that as his duty of care as a politician, also invoking the role of doctors to help people regardless of agreement.
He told colleagues many people are scared because of a lack of understanding and said education on these issues is key. He emphasised reciprocal respect for religious beliefs and personal opinions, saying he is "here to learn" and will help people whether he agrees with them or not, including people identifying as gay, lesbian or transgender.
He repeatedly stated the motion's purpose is caring and providing health care to people. He insisted "Anyone in this country deserves health care. Regardless. End of story." and said the motion is about ensuring care regardless of a person's circumstances.
Heckling and labels
He described repeated heckling from other deputies and urged colleagues to show courtesy and listen. He protested being called "far right" and said assumptions about his views have been made without knowing him, also referencing remarks about Conor Sheehan and comments that had put down Limerick.
Personal disclosure and duty of care
He identified himself as a father and grandparent and said he has a son who is gay, stressing that colleagues do not know him and should not make assumptions. He said he will "respect and help" anyone in the gallery or community and framed that as his duty of care as a politician, also invoking the role of doctors to help people regardless of agreement.
Education, respect and fear
He told colleagues many people are scared because of a lack of understanding and said education on these issues is key. He emphasised reciprocal respect for religious beliefs and personal opinions, saying he is "here to learn" and will help people whether he agrees with them or not, including people identifying as gay, lesbian or transgender.
Healthcare access as the motion's aim
He repeatedly stated the motion's purpose is caring and providing health care to people. He insisted "Anyone in this country deserves health care. Regardless. End of story." and said the motion is about ensuring care regardless of a person's circumstances.
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Transcript
And I have to start out with this, number one is the disappointment that people on that side of the house would turn around and say that people on this side of the house are far right, far left. I'm a father. I've been heckled. Excuse me. Excuse me. I didn't interrupt you. So have the courtesy to shut your mouth and listen to somebody. That's as much as it comes to. Now, I'm going to put something on the record very clear for you now. As well, Conor Sheehan, they talked about Limerick and put them down. I'm going to talk to you as a parent and I'm going to talk to you if you may listen. But you don't want to listen. Deputies. Chair, these people, these people, and I'm going to talk to these people. Respect the house. Correct. Now, just respect. That's what I'm asking. And it's the one word I've written down here for you today is respect. I've been heckled. I've been heckled in this house saying that I'm anti-gay, anti-this. Now, excuse me. Again, you can't be quiet and listen to somebody else's opinion called respect. Now, I've been heckled in this house on more than one occasion that from my religion, from being over here, that you're far right. I'm going to put something very clear to you. I'm a parent. I'm a grandparent. I have a son that's gay. None of you ever came on and said, oh, Richard, we didn't know that. You don't know me, but you make assumptions about people. The one thing I'd do for anyone that's up in the gallery or not, whether I agree with it or not, I will respect and help you to every bit that I can. I will respect people and help them. That's my duty of care as a politician. People then saying that one of our party made an assumption. That's his opinion. It doesn't have to be mine. So allow a person to have their own opinion. That's all I'm asking is my own opinion. Now, my own opinion is there's an awful lot of people out there that are scared of lack of understanding. The world is changing. I have friends of mine that are gay. I have friends of mine that are lesbian. I have friends of mine that are transgender. I have friends of mine that are scared because they have their children that are coming up. They're scared. But my job here is to help them regardless whether I agree with it or not. That is my... As a doctor, their job is to help people whether they agree with it or not. Education on this is key. As I said at the start, I have my own religion. I respect everyone else's religion but respect mine. I have my opinion. It doesn't have to be the same as yours but respect mine. But at the end of the day, I'm here to help. I'm here to learn. I'm here to give respect to whoever I can regardless whether I agree with you or not. That is my opinion. And that's why I started off at the start. And you thought I was going down a different road. But I'm not. And this is what I'm trying to say. Politicians come in here and say something sometimes with a headline. I say what I feel. I say what I feel being part of me. If you don't agree with it, that's your problem. But remember this. I went around to many houses during the election. I went to one house and a person opened the door. They were identifying as a fox. Right? Did I respect them? Did I talk to them? Yes, I did. Did I have to agree with it? No, I didn't. But I respected them and I spoke to them the same as a human being. I'm a believer. I'm a believer. Again, I'm a believer. Right? And somebody just call me a gobshite. This is the fool that we're talking about. Again, a person can have an opinion. A person can have an opinion. And each on this side will not allow opinion unless it's their opinion. And as an adult, this is about health. And again, if they keep interrupting, it means I'm saying something that's hurting them very deeply. I have my opinion and I'm here to help anyone that is in whatever situation they're in. Regardless whether I agree with it or not. This is what I'm talking about. Anyone in this country deserves health care. Regardless. End of story. Everyone. Regardless of your circumstances. Regardless of what? You deserve health care. And this is what the motion is about. And that's what it's about. The motion is about caring. Giving health care to people. Regardless of what it is about. Thank you.