Mixed response to Reilly’s abortion referendum call

There are renewed calls for politicians and political parties to declare their policies on abortion ahead of the General Election.

The Coalition to Repeal the Eighth is welcoming calls from the Children's Minister and Deputy leader of Fine Gael Dr James Reilly to hold an abortion referendum early in the term of the next government.

However, in September Taoiseach Enda Kenny said a referendum would not be called by Fine Gael until a replacement for the eighth amendment is carefully considered.

The eighth amendment gives equal right to life to a mother and her unborn child.

In an interview in today's Sunday Independent Minister Reilly has women carrying babies with fatal foetal abnormalities should not be forced to go through with their pregnancies.

Sinead Kennedy from the Repeal the Eighth Coalition believes other politicians should publicly declare their thoughts on the issue.

“We would to see political parties in the run up to the election come out and declare that this will be a redline issue for any participation in Government,” said Kennedy.

“We have had more than 30 years on this and we really need political leadership on this issue. I think it is quite clear from opinion polls that the vast majority of people are way ahead of politicians on this.”

However, Pro Life Campaign Deputy Chairperson Cora Sherlock was critical of James Reilly’s stance on the matter.

“It doesn’t surprise me in the least that Minister Reilly is seeking to present repeal of the 8th Amendment as an extremely restrictive measure,” said Sherlock in a statement.

“Every time he talks about changes to Ireland’s abortion laws he goes out of his way to stress that he doesn’t want to see an ‘abortion on demand’ regime here.

“He kept repeating this same line over and over again when as Minister for Health he introduced the controversial 2013 abortion law, a law that incidentally allows abortion up to birth based on a threat of suicide, even though medical evidence shows that abortion is not a treatment for suicidal feelings. Sadly, abortions have already taken place as a result of this law and babies have lost their lives.

“But there doesn’t appear to be any time to pause and reflect on this stark reality as the Minister and others focus on removing the 8th Amendment, which provides the last remaining protection for the unborn child.”