Creighton: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 'should aspire to do just that'

Junior Minister Lucinda Creighton has said that a change to the abortion laws clarifying the term limit for a termination in suicide cases is a necessary minimum.

She told the Dáil today that that she wants to continue working in Government to fix the economy, but she must consult her conscience when it comes to a vote on this legislation.

Four Fine Gael TDs - Peter Matthews, Brian Walsh, Billy Timmins and Terence Flanagan - have already vowed to vote against the legislation..

Minister Creighton said that she cannot support the suicide clause in the legislation unless there are major changes.

"I know that minister Reilly has stated his intention to accept amendments during the committee stage," she said.

"I take him at his word and I assume that this means substantive amendments based on evidence and not just procedural ones.

"If this Bill is to genuinely live up to its title, the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, that it should simply aspire to do just that - provide protection to all lives, no more, no less."

“It must protect women whose lives may be in danger during pregnancy. We expect and demand that this be the case. It must also protect lives of babies in pregnancy, otherwise the title will simply be misleading.

“Ireland is a great country for mothers and babies where the best possible care has been, and continues to be, afforded. This Bill has the potential to change that and to change the compassionate culture of care that we have treasured for so long.”

Ms Creighton said the legislation could lead to the introduction of a “hierarchy of human beings” in Irish society and one that dictates who deserves to live.

Ms Creighton said she never expected to be called on to debate and vote on abortion legislation when she stood for election two years ago. She also said she never considered herself a pro-life campaigner.

Ms Creighton has yet to declare how she will vote but said she expects the Bill to pass.

A series of votes on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 are expected to begin in the Dail tomorrow with the Government committed to passing the reforms into law before the summer recess.