Clare Daly TD in a private members Bill launched a new
attack on Ireland’s remaining pro-life protection. Daly called for the repeal
the 8th amendment in order to expand access to abortion in Ireland.
The eighth amendment of the Constitution, voted on in 1983,
acknowledges the right to life of the unborn, equating it with the mother’s
right to life. The amendment says:
"The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right."
During the debate Health Minister Leo Varakdar indicated his
support for a future abortion referendum and said that the Eighth Amendment to
the Constitutional dealing with abortion is too “restrictive” and is having a
“chilling” effect on doctors, but inexplicably claims that he is pro-life and
not in favour of abortion on demand.
It seems that the Minister has either swallowed pro-abortion
rhetoric hook, line and sinker or he is playing fast and loose with the truth.
Whilst proclaiming that he is pro-life he has declared his support for exactly
what the pro-abortionists are currently seeking.
Sadly national debate on the issue has relegated the
unfortunate baby to being a non-person and seeks to remove the small modicum of
protection left to him/her.
See report in the Irish Independent
