X-case legislation 'not necessary', bishop tells Oireachtas Committee

A representative of the Catholic Church has told today's Oireachtas Health Committee hearing on abortion that it is not necessary to legislate for the X case.

He has also called on the Coalition to look again at the possibility of holding a referendum.

Bishop of Elphin, Christopher Jones, said that the judgement potentially allows for abortions up to birth.

He said that it is morally wrong and does not give equal right to the life of the woman and the unborn child.

"It is not necessary to legislate for the X case to ensure that women in Ireland receive all the life-saving treatment they need during pregnancy," he said.

"It is not necessary to satisfy the European Court of Human Rights.

"There is another way. Other options are available to the government that do not involve legislating for abortion.

"These include the option of appropriate guidelines or a referendum to overcome the X-case judgement."