Pro-life groups ‘trying to undermine’ Eighth debate, says committee chair

The chairwoman of the Oireachtas committee on the Eighth Amendment says pro-life groups are refusing to attend as part of a wider strategy to undermine the referendum debate.

Senator Catherine Noone made the claim as some Fine Gael colleagues called for a repeal of the Eighth Amendment, others accused pro-choice TDs of being “baby killers”, and more sought sex education reforms as part of any abortion law changes.

During a debate which took place as it emerged former TD Billy Timmins — who quit over the introduction of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act in 2013 — has asked to rejoin the party, Ms Noone said she believes pro-life groups are trying to undermine the wider referendum.