Defects in draft abortion legislation must be addressed to protect women’s lives

Published: Wednesday, June 12, 2013

In response to the publication of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 last night Jacqueline Healy, National Women's Council of Ireland said,

'Since the publication of the Heads of Bill in April, the NWCI and many other organisations raised grave concerns about the proposed legislation. It appears on an initial reading of the Bill that none of these concerns have been taken on board. In fact it appears that the possibility of conscientious objection has been strengthened to the detriment of the woman's life so that medical personnel are not obliged to carry out an abortion if he or she has a conscientious objection. No individual's conscience should be allowed to put a woman's life in danger. We believe that there should be an explicit duty to treat in a medical emergency regardless of any conscientious objection.'

Ann Irwin, Policy Officer NWCI said: 'The final bill does not decriminalise abortion. There is a great danger this legislation will not change the current situation and women whose lives may be at risk during pregnancy will be no better off. The government had a real opportunity to get it right. NWCI have called for reasonable and practical amendments to the draft legislation so that procedures follow normal clinical practice and abortion is decriminalised. These changes would have enhanced accessibility and eliminated the chilling effect that the current situation has on both women and their doctors.'

'The Irish Times / IPSO poll published today shows the high level of public support for X case legislation. However this Bill contains so many onerous procedures it will impede women realizing their right to an abortion contained in the X case judgment. We urge the government to take on our amendments during the Dail and Seanad debates so that we will have timely, effective and accessible procedures that protects the lives of women in Ireland.'

For more information, please contact Sarah Clarkin, National Women's Council of Ireland, Tel. 01-8787248 or Jacqueline Healy Tel. 085-8586476.