Opposition TDs cautious with opinions on draft bill

Opposition TDs were divided in their response to the proposed X case legislation.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams claims that the draft bill would be the thin end of the wedge leading to widescale terminations were “downright disrespectful to women and impossible in light of the legislation the Government is proposing”.

Mr Adams said: “Previous governments failed to face up to this issue. The production of this legislation has taken 21 years. I want to commend the Government for bringing forward these proposals.

“The evidence recently in the inquest into the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar underlined, if any further evidence was needed, the necessity for clarity for medical practitioners and protection for pregnant women who may be at risk.

“Sinn Féin is determined that this legislation must provide that clarity for medical practitioners and the protection for pregnant women whose lives are at risk,” Mr Adams said.

The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party is to hold a meeting today to examine the legislation as many senior figures were at a funeral of former Donegal TD Harry Blaney yesterday.

Micheál Martin has been careful in recent months not to tie his party to an X case ruling stance ahead of the bill’s publication.

A number of TDs are believed to be concerned about the proposed legislation, but Mr Martin is determined to try to keep the party united.

United Left Alliance deputy Clare Daly insisted the Government had missed an opportunity to help women in crisis pregnancies.

“I’m glad this legislation is before us but it is the absolute minimum,” she told the Dáil, adding that the majority of Irish women seeking a termination will still travel to Britain.

Ms Daly said the Government had ignored the advice of an expert group which, she said, recommended two doctors of relevant training and expertise would be appropriate to make a decision on termination need.

She said the legislation “reinforced fudge” in the legal position rather than removed it. She remarked that changing the name of the bill from Protection of Maternal Life to Protection of Life During Pregnancy was part of this.

Ms Daly accused Fine Gael backbenchers of hypocrisy as she claimed their consciences were not interested in the rights of born children affected by the Government’s austerity agenda.