Well Woman chairwoman condemns referendum

The chairperson of Ireland's Well Woman centres, Helen Keogh, has today condemned the Government's decision to proceed with an abortion referendum.

The Fine Gael senator said planes, boats and gaol are now the Government's options for women in crisis pregnancies.

"Abortion is a personal, moral, ethical and social issue - and a women's health issue which has no place in any Constitution", Ms Keogh said.

"Where is the compassion for those who have to take a hard and lonely decision to terminate a pregnancy? This is cruel legislation. It excludes those at risk of suicide, it excludes those pregnant as a result of rape or incest.

"It promises 'approved places' to carry out medically necessary terminations without addressing the risks for women living far from those places.

"The risk of suicide remains real, yet the Government has decided to roll back on the Supreme Court judgement in the X case where a child who was raped and suicidal had her rights vindicated.

"Women (and girls) will have less protection under the Constitution if the legislation framed by the Government is enacted.

"Women will be termed criminals in this country if they are driven to seek a termination through utter despair.

"The Attorney General's complete about face on the issue is scandalous."

Ms Keogh also accused her former party - the Progressive Democrats - of betraying Irish women.

She said the PDs had "abandoned any pretence of a radical or liberal agenda".