The Deacon's Bench
The Irish government has announced that it will introduce legislation on abortion that will legalize the procedure in cases where the mother’s life is at risk, drawing criticism pro-life advocates.
Independent Irish Senator Ronan Mullen said in the Irish Senate that the move showed “no concern for unborn children” and was a contradictory act in the wake of condemnations of the massive school shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut, the Irish newspaper The Journal reports.
“I find it entirely appropriate that we would join in solidarity with the people, with the children who died in Connecticut,” he said.
“Let’s be sincere about that. And let’s not slip into a double-think either, however, where we forget a whole category of children in our own country.”
The proposal is meant to bring the country’s laws in line with a December 2010 ruling from the European Court of Human Rights that said Ireland needed to clarify the legal status of abortion, in line with a 1992 Irish Supreme Court decision held that abortion must permissible to save the life of a pregnant woman, including when she threatens suicide.
Irish law was never changed to reflect that ruling.
Health Minister James Reilly said that most people have “personal views” on the question.
“However, the Government is committed to ensuring that the safety of pregnant women in Ireland is maintained and strengthened. We must fulfill our duty of care towards them,” he said Dec. 18.
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