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| Irish abortion bill does not change law, says Enda Kenny | Irish abortion bill does not change law, says Enda Kenny |
| (8 days later) | |
| The Irish premier, Enda Kenny, has denied that a new bill fundamentally changes the republic's strict laws on abortion. | The Irish premier, Enda Kenny, has denied that a new bill fundamentally changes the republic's strict laws on abortion. |
| The taoiseach said the proposed legislation – released late on Tuesday night – merely "provides certainty" for doctors and medical teams who have to make decisions about saving a mother and/or an unborn child when there is a risk to the former's life. | The taoiseach said the proposed legislation – released late on Tuesday night – merely "provides certainty" for doctors and medical teams who have to make decisions about saving a mother and/or an unborn child when there is a risk to the former's life. |
| At a government press briefing on Wednesday morning, Kenny said: "The law on abortion in Ireland is not being changed. Our country will continue to be one of the safest places in the world for childbirth." | At a government press briefing on Wednesday morning, Kenny said: "The law on abortion in Ireland is not being changed. Our country will continue to be one of the safest places in the world for childbirth." |
| He added: "And the regulation and the clarity that will now become evident through the protection of maternal life bill will continue within the law, to assert the restrictions on abortion that have applied in Ireland and will apply in the future." | He added: "And the regulation and the clarity that will now become evident through the protection of maternal life bill will continue within the law, to assert the restrictions on abortion that have applied in Ireland and will apply in the future." |
| Kenny said he was determined to reform the law on abortion without dividing the country. There also concerns within the main coalition party, Kenny's Fine Gael, that any changes to abortion law might have the potential to cause internal splits as well. | Kenny said he was determined to reform the law on abortion without dividing the country. There also concerns within the main coalition party, Kenny's Fine Gael, that any changes to abortion law might have the potential to cause internal splits as well. |
| A number of Fine Gael backbenchers, particularly those from more conservative rural constituencies, have expressed disquiet about changes to the abortion law. Fine Gael has come under sustained pressure from anti-abortion groups that have targeted the party – reminding many of them that they pledged to be "pro-life" and to defend the rights of unborn children ahead of the 2011 general election. | A number of Fine Gael backbenchers, particularly those from more conservative rural constituencies, have expressed disquiet about changes to the abortion law. Fine Gael has come under sustained pressure from anti-abortion groups that have targeted the party – reminding many of them that they pledged to be "pro-life" and to defend the rights of unborn children ahead of the 2011 general election. |
| Kenny's deputy prime minister, Eamon Gilmore from the Labour party, said it is already legal in Ireland to end a pregnancy when there is a risk to the life of a mother. | Kenny's deputy prime minister, Eamon Gilmore from the Labour party, said it is already legal in Ireland to end a pregnancy when there is a risk to the life of a mother. |
| However, Gilmore added that a failure of successive governments had led to continued uncertainty – particularly for medical teams such as those at Galway University hospital who came under sharp criticism during the inquest over the death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar in the autumn. | However, Gilmore added that a failure of successive governments had led to continued uncertainty – particularly for medical teams such as those at Galway University hospital who came under sharp criticism during the inquest over the death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar in the autumn. |
| The 31-year-old and her husband made repeated requests that she be given an emergency abortion that were turned down. She later died of septic shock and E coli in her bloodstream at the hospital. | The 31-year-old and her husband made repeated requests that she be given an emergency abortion that were turned down. She later died of septic shock and E coli in her bloodstream at the hospital. |
| The bill, which will have to be passed in both houses of the Irish parliament, will not include cases concerning rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormalities. | The bill, which will have to be passed in both houses of the Irish parliament, will not include cases concerning rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormalities. |
| A controversial measure in the new proposed law stating that a woman seeking an abortion because she is suicidal will have to be assessed by up to six doctors, including psychiatrists, has been condemned by pro-choice groups. | A controversial measure in the new proposed law stating that a woman seeking an abortion because she is suicidal will have to be assessed by up to six doctors, including psychiatrists, has been condemned by pro-choice groups. |
| According to the proposed legislation, three consultants reviewing the case of a woman with suicidal thoughts while pregnant must all agree that a termination should proceed. | According to the proposed legislation, three consultants reviewing the case of a woman with suicidal thoughts while pregnant must all agree that a termination should proceed. |
| There is provision for an appeal by the woman to three further consultants if the first trio of doctors does not approve the abortion. The appeal panel of three doctors must also be unanimous in approval for a termination to be granted under law. | There is provision for an appeal by the woman to three further consultants if the first trio of doctors does not approve the abortion. The appeal panel of three doctors must also be unanimous in approval for a termination to be granted under law. |
| International pro-choice lobby group the Centre for Reproductive Rights Europe has denounced the elements of the bill concerning a woman at risk of suicide owing to pregnancy. | International pro-choice lobby group the Centre for Reproductive Rights Europe has denounced the elements of the bill concerning a woman at risk of suicide owing to pregnancy. |
| "Our stance is that this bill is really a minor step in the right direction, and creates no new rights. The suicide clause is really outrageous, and paternalistic, and will backfire," said Johanna Westeson, the regional director of the organisation. | "Our stance is that this bill is really a minor step in the right direction, and creates no new rights. The suicide clause is really outrageous, and paternalistic, and will backfire," said Johanna Westeson, the regional director of the organisation. |
| "The Irish abortion regime, with or without this new piece of legislation, with or without horrible provisions on suicidal women, is in absolute violation of international human rights norms on women's right to health and dignity. It's totally off track with the rest of Europe." | "The Irish abortion regime, with or without this new piece of legislation, with or without horrible provisions on suicidal women, is in absolute violation of international human rights norms on women's right to health and dignity. It's totally off track with the rest of Europe." |
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