Green Party: Parties “avoiding taking responsibility” on abortion
7th November 2015
· Party launches Reproductive Rights Policy calling for repeal of 8th Amendment
The Green Party today accused Fianna Fail and Fine Gael of avoiding responsibility on the abortion issue and called for the repeal of the 8th Amendment as they launched their Reproductive Rights Policy.
Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan, speaking at the launch at the Young Greens Annual Convention in UCC, said that politicians can no longer bury their heads in the sand on the issue.
“The system that is currently in place, quite simply, doesn’t work. It is not reducing the numbers of abortions and it is not looking after women in the most difficult of circumstances. It is increasingly clear that the legal advice from the former Attorney General Peter Sutherland was correct and that the framing of the 8th Amendment to the Constitution was wrong.
“The Green Party is calling for a referendum on the 8th Amendment, and will be campaigning for repeal. We believe it is time for the people to be able to have a say on this issue."
Green Party Spokesperson on Welfare and Leader of the Young Greens, Lorna Bogue said that the refusal by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to even consider the issue shows how out of touch with modern Ireland they are.
“Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil, when asked recently about their position replied that they’re ‘not going there’. With respect, no, they’re not going there. It’s the 12 women a day that are – to the UK to access abortion because the State refuses to deal with this issue.
“The Green Party would legislate to allow for abortion in the cases of fatal foetal abnormalities, rape, incest and in cases where the health of the mother is at risk. The most important thing is to remove abortion from the context of criminality. Women, at this most difficult time, deserve the compassion of their home state and the best medical treatment, not our opprobrium or judgment. Healthcare professionals should not fear criminal charges for doing their job, nor should women who wish to terminate pregnancies.
“By not allowing a referendum the Government are avoiding their responsibility. We believe they should let the people have their say – then let the Oireachtas do its job and make the law that comes next.”