Archbishop's views on safe access zones for abortions dismissed as 'nonsense' 

Archbishop Eamon Martin 

The Catholic Primate of Ireland has been criticised over comments he made about safe access zones for people seeking abortions.

Archbishop Eamon Martin was referring to a bill being debated in the Seanad, which would ensure that attendees and staff at abortion providers are protected from intimidation.

The archbishop said such a move would "further silence the voice of the innocent unborn" and increase fears for freedom of religion and speech.

Archbishop Martin said the proposed legislation to ban what he called "peaceful vigils" outside places that offer abortion services is a disproportionate response.

"What next? How long before it is deemed unlawful to openly express in Ireland the reasonable opinion that there are two lives in every pregnancy worth protecting – the life of a mother and the life of her unborn child?" he asked.

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith said the comments are deeply offensive, adding that safe access zones would not prevent people from airing their views.

“For the Archbishop to say that the safe access zones are a hindrance to people’s freedom of expression or religion is a nonsense," she said.

"These safe access zones do not impinge on anyone’s religion or freedom of expression - they merely seek to protect vulnerable pregnant women and pregnant people from the potential for harassment."

Ms Smith said that women and pregnant people want to vindicate their rights to bodily autonomy free from persecution.

Over five years since the Repeal referendum, Ms Smith said that she is not surprised to hear the Archbishop's comments.

"For too long the Catholic Church has tried to control women and their choice over their bodies and their healthcare decisions," she said.

"The Repeal referendum result was categoric - the Catholic Church is trying to have a rerun of the arguments of the referendum.

"They need to realise that the referendum is over."