Gilmore: Legal clarity needed over X case judgment

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore told the Dáil that “legal clarity” would have to be brought to the X case judgment.

However, the Labour leader carefully avoided using the word “legislation” in an attempt not to prejudge the expert group advising on the issue.

He also avoided using the term “pro-choice”, but nonetheless made it clear that this was his own longstanding personal position.

“It’s one of those issues when I think we are all reminded here of our duties as legislators. It’s not a moment for shrill voices; it’s a moment for respect, first of all for a grieving family, for dignified discussion, and for determined action.

“It’s been 20 years now since the Supreme Court made its finding on the X case. It is time, in my view, to bring legal clarity to this whole issue. And it was to that end that we set up the expert group and we’ll now deal with the recommendations in the report it has made to us.”

He was responding to Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins, who called for the report to be published and for a “mature” debate on the issue.

Sinn Féin TD Mary Lou McDonald called on Mr Gilmore to bring forward legislation to give effect to the X case judgment.

While she accepted there had to be investigations into the death of Savita Halappanavar, she said she feared the Government would “hide” behind the inquiries and kick the issue to touch again.

“We don’t need a report or an inquiry to tell us that the medical profession is left in legal limbo. We know that. We don’t need a report or inquiry to tell us that as a result of that, women’s health and lives are left in jeopardy. We know that.

“We now have the seventh Government that has not yet brought forward the legislation to give effect to the Supreme Court judgment.”

She also challenged Mr Gilmore on the fact that his position had been much clearer before the election than in government with pro-life Fine Gael.

In response, Mr Gilmore, who has previously declared himself as pro-choice, said: “My position on this issue is known for a very long time. I am on the public record for over 25 years as to how this issue should be dealt with.”

He insisted that the Government would act, echoing Health Minister James Reilly’s comments in April.

“As the minister for health said here some time ago, there have been six governments in this State since the Supreme Court judgment in 1992 and they haven’t dealt with it. This will not be the seventh. And that’s why we set up the expert group to guide us.”

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