UK provider of abortions wants clinics in Ireland
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service said it was forced to weigh intothe row after being shocked at the fallout over new laws allowing for terminations only in certain circumstances.
A newspaper advertisement on Saturday accused the Government of washing its hands of the 4,000 Irish women who travel to Britain every year for an abortion. The advisory service said this was only the “starting point”.
The organisation has more than 40 abortion clinics in Britain, carrying out 60,000 terminations every year.
The advisory service’s director of press and public policy Clare Murphy, said English people felt “extremely strongly” about women having to come over the Irish Sea for such medical procedures.
“In the 21st century, Ireland should not be relying on Britain to provide suchcrucial health care to its women,” she said.
Ms Murphy said the service was left shocked when they were denied a place at the Oireachtas hearings earlier this year that led to the controversial Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act.
As one of the leading abortion services Irish women turn to in the UK, she said they are among the most important voices that should have been heard in the debate.
Ms Murphy said they had asked well in advance of the closing date to be included as speakers at the three-day hearings, but were told they would not be invited as too many people wanted to appear.
“I think it’s because there is a denial among the political establishment about ordinary women and Irish women’s needs and there is a complete reluctance to face up to what Irish women need,” she said.
Ms Murphy said the advisory service felt moved to mount a campaign in Ireland after watching the fallout unfold.
“It is a first for us, and I guess it is really the product of having watched what has gone on in Ireland over the last year and having become so incredibly frustrated by a discussion that has completely and utterly failed to take into account the needs of the majority of Irish women who find themselves with unplanned pregnancies or pregnancies they are no longer able to carry to term,” she said.
The service believes the new legislation maintains the status quo and “changes absolutely nothing” for thousands of Irish women who travel to UK clinics every year for abortions.
The well-resourced organisation said it was mounting an “advocacy campaign” in Ireland and would work with existing pro-choice campaigns in the months and years ahead to push for more liberal laws.
“We do have funds we can use through donations, etc, to mount advocacy work like this,” Ms Murphy said.
“I think it is something that people in England also feel extremely strongly about, that in the 21st century, the idea that their neighbours in Ireland have to come to England for this procedure.
“So it’s campaign we feel very comfortable in mounting.”
Ms Murphy insisted the advisory service had no financial interest in pushing for a relaxation of Irish abortion laws.
“There is absolutely no business interest in this for us,” she said.
“This is about helping the women we see access the care they need at home.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
