Fatal foetal abnormality abortion vote ‘inevitable’

The "horrific" situations the State imposes on pregnant women with fatal foetal abnormalities mean a referendum on extending termination rights to them is inevitable, a Fine Gael minister has said.

Minister of state at the Department of Finance Simon Harris insists he is pro-life, but expects a national poll on changing the constitution in this area after the next general election.

However, Mr Harris said he does not support a bill going before the Dáil today from Independent TD Clare Daly seeking to change the law in such cases through amending legislation, as the minister believes a national poll is needed.

“I think this is an extremely important issue and one which I would like to see put to a referendum in the lifetime of the next Dáil,” he said. “I understand that a referendum would be required and that legislation would not be adequate.”

Speaking previously to the Irish Examiner, Mr Harris expressed concern at the impact of fatal foetal abnormality pregnancies.

“I have met some people who have experienced this situation and they have gone through an absolutely horrific situation and, ideology aside, when you actually meet these people and you hear what the State has done, I personally think we need to look at the issue,” said Mr Harris. “I think there are a cohort of people out there who have been let down in relation to the current situation.

“I still classify myself as pro-life; in the case of fatal foetal abnormalities I think there’s a very specific and tragic medical condition.”

Health Minister Leo Varadkar caused a political stir when he spoke against the eighth amendment, which gives equal status to the mother and the unborn, but said the Government would not move on the issue during the remainder of its term in office.

Describing himself as pro-life, Mr Varadkar called for a national debate on the issue.

“Speaking as minister for health, and also as a medical doctor, and knowing now all that I do now, it is my considered view that the eighth amendment is too restrictive,” he said.

“While it protects the right to life of the mother, it has no regard for her long-term health. If a stroke, heart attack, epileptic seizure happens, perhaps resulting in permanent disability as a result, then that is acceptable under our laws. I don’t think that’s right.

“The eighth amendment continues to exert a chilling effect on doctors. Difficult decisions that should be made by women and their doctors, a couple or the next-of-kin where there is no capacity, and on the basis of best clinical practice, are now made on foot of legal advice. That isn’t how it should be.”

Mr Varadkar said the eighth amendment “forces couples to bring to term a child that has no chance of survival for long outside the womb, if at all. Forcing them, against their own judgement, to explain for weeks and months to all enquirers that their baby is dead.”