UN report on abortion deeply upsetting, says Health Minister Simon Harris

Health Minister Simon Harris described a critical UN report on Ireland’s abortion laws as “deeply upsetting” — but was firm on his party’s view that no referendum will take place before a citizens’ assembly on the issue.

He held this position despite opposition criticism yesterday that the findings of the independent report are a “damning indictment of Irish law”.

In a report released yesterday, the UN found that abortion legislation in this country subjects women carrying a foetus which has no chance of survival outside the womb to “cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment”.