A Time Of Challenge - Pro Life Campaign National Conference 2013

by Cora Sherlock

Energised, focused and organised, the Pro Life Campaign’s 2013 National Conference in the RDS on Saturday, 12th October celebrated the groundswell of public support and momentum generated last year, acknowledged the challenges ahead and announced several new Campaign initiatives. 

Wendy Grace welcoming delegates to the Conference

Many of the 600 attendees were to the fore-front of the Campaign against the Protection of Human Life in Pregnancy Bill, which acted contrary to medical evidence and introduced abortion for the full nine months of pregnancy.  The theme of the 2013 Conference was “A Time Of Challenge, A Time Of Hope”, and it proved to be one that captured the mood of the room perfectly. 

Spontaneous bursts of applause greeted the video montage showing the events of the past year.  Images of the tens of thousands of pro-life campaigners that gathered in Dublin in January, June and July flashed up on the screen, followed by memories of the more somber moments like the all-night vigil held at the Dáil to witness the passing of the Bill.  The vigil was a moving tribute to a protest heard around the world.  In the RDS, the response from the audience was one of continued support and protest to this supremely unjust piece of legislation.

An excellent roster of speakers went on to provide a roadmap for the Pro Life Campaign’s future plans, including national and global initiatives.  Caroline Simons, Legal Consultant to the Pro Life Campaign, was up first, to highlight the movement’s influence in the European Union where the “One of Us” Campaign is among the first European Citizens’ Initiatives.  This write-in campaign has obtained more than 1.5 million signatures, reaching the quota required in 17 EU countries to press for legislative affirmation of the protection of the human embryo. 

Caroline Simons, Legal Consultant to the Pro Life Campaign 

In the Irish context, it is perhaps the new Grassroots Campaign which will bear most fruit and Ms. Simons spent some time explaining how the Campaign intends to work towards reaching all those who are deeply saddened and dismayed at this government’s betrayal of the most basic right of all – the right to life.  She promised that this new campaign will extend through every city, town and village – plus all the roads along the way! – to ensure that the pro-life majority have their voices heard.  Contact info@prolifecampaign.com to find out how you can get involved in this exciting new initiative!

Steven Ertelt, Founder and Editor of LifeNews.com, a US-based pro-life online news source, placed the Irish campaign in an international context.  He urged participants to keep heart.  Despite challenges, the pro-life message is taking root in the US which can act as a model for Irish pro-life campaigners who should not be disillusioned when the pro-life message seems lost.  Steven told the room “A report by Planned Parenthood’s former research arm found that the number of abortions nationwide in the US have fallen to their lowest point in 36 years!  The pro-life laws we are passing in our nation have worked!”  Steven encouraged attendees to keep the pressure on. 

Steven Ertelt of LifeNews.com addresses the Conference

There was an buzz in the air as Caroline Simons stepped up to introduce Deputy Terence Flanagan and Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames to the Conference.  As two of the members of the Oireachtas who lost the Fine Gael Party Whip for their refusal to vote in favour of the legislation, they received a rapturous welcome from the attendees.  After a prolonged standing ovation to thank them, and those other TDs and Senators who stood against the legislation, Ms. Simons assured the Conference that we would continue to be active in coming elections, supporting those representatives who hold true to the pro-life message while holding Fine Gael accountable for their broken promise.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames and Deputy Terence Flanagan thanked by delegates

Several speakers brought their own personal stories of courage, healing and hope highlighting the human side of this campaign. A moving speech from Hilary Ní Lorcáin described the support and care her family and daughter Margaret received in the US from a perinatal hospice; a “hospice in the womb” for babies with life limiting diagnoses.  “The hospice helped us to plan meaningfully for Margaret’s life,” Hilary told the Conference, “to think about how we would like to experience our time with her, to enable us to look ahead with courage, and indeed to prepare for her death.” It was a powerful call to action for the Irish pro-life movement to work towards meaningful palliative care services for families facing life-limiting diagnoses.

Adele Best brought the audience the difficult story of women’s suffering post abortion.  Many women suffer in silence the after-effects of abortion. Women Hurt (www.womenhurt.ie) provides information on counseling and healing services for women enduring loss and depression resulting from abortion. Adele’s courage and life-saving dedication to her counseling work was inspirational.

Hilary and Adele brought a human face to two very different aspects of the pro-life message.  Their courageous words were met with an atmosphere of respect and support from the attendees as they reminded everyone in the room of the importance of the work carried out by the Pro Life Campaign. 

Perhaps it was Steven Ertelt who best summed up the spirit of the Conference in his closing remarks:

“Never give up hope and always  persevere.  Do not rest until this abortion law is overturned.”

From the evidence of this Conference, the members of the new and improved Pro Life Campaign have taken his advice to heart.

Irish Times abortion story “raises major credibility issues” for the paper, says PLC

The Pro Life Campaign has said the recent apology from The Irish Times over its false and misleading story on abortion is “inadequate” and “raises major credibility issues” for the newspaper.

On 23rd August, The Irish Times ran a front page story claiming that the first abortion under the new legislation had taken place.
The paper claimed the abortion of twins saved the mother’s life and was carried out at the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street. Last Saturday, however, in an embarrassing admission, The Irish Times issued an apology on page seven of its news section pointing out that “the case described in the article did not happen.”

Commenting on the saga, Caroline Simons of the Pro Life Campaign said: “The revelation that the front-page story, which was picked up by the international media, never happened, is extraordinary.”
“It raises many serious questions, given that representatives of the National Maternity Hospital commented on the case. An apology for this extraordinary report seems inadequate and the public deserves a fuller explanation of how it came about”, she said.

Dr Ruth Cullen of the Pro Life Campaign said: “This latest episode raises major credibility issues for The Irish Times. It also rushed to judgement following the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar by concluding that Ireland’s abortion laws were to blame. Despite the findings at the coroner’s inquest, The Irish Times has refused to change its tune. There are countless other recent examples of biased reporting on abortion by the same newspaper. This would not be a problem if it were not for the fact that some of our weaker minded politicians have taken their direction on the issue from newspapers like The Irish Times, instead of robustly challenging the obvious agenda that is being pushed.
Dr Cullen said: “The headline and content of the recent inaccurate report in The Irish Times was clearly intended to create the impression that the new abortion law was needed to save women’s lives. Not surprisingly, that’s how the international media interpreted the report. For The Irish Times to print its apology on page seven of the paper only adds insult to injury.”


Read a report of this story in Journal.ie here

www.prolifecampaign.ie

PLC comments on Holles Street “abortion” story

Dr Ruth Cullen criticises The Irish Times over its “misleading” reference to Savita Halappanavar case in today’s report

The Pro Life Campaign (PLC) has said the recent abortion legislation was not needed to safeguard the lives of pregnant women.

The PLC was responding to media reports today that the first termination of pregnancy under the new abortion legislation took place recently at the National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street.

Commenting on the reports, Dr Ruth Cullen of the Pro Life Campaign said: “While the precise circumstances surrounding the intervention in this tragic case are unknown, what is clear is that the Government’s abortion legislation permits doctors to blur the distinction between necessary life-saving interventions in pregnancy and induced abortion (where no effort whatsoever is made to save the life of the baby).

“Now that the blurring of such important ethical distinctions is permitted in law, it is inevitable that abortions directly and intentionally targeting the life of the unborn child will take place, even on the threat of suicide ground, where there is no medical evidence to justify an intervention.

“This is the stark reality of what members of the Oireachtas voted for recently and why the pro-life movement was so vocal in its opposition to the Bill.

“The new abortion law was not needed to safeguard women’s lives in pregnancy. The tragedy reported today of a mother losing two children has been used again to give the misleading impression that the recent abortion legislation was needed to safeguard women’s lives.

 “The HSE confirmed today that the law has not yet come into force. On foot of this, one has to ask is The Irish Times suggesting that the law was broken by the doctors in Holles Street or does it now accept that the new law was not needed to protect women’s lives?

“In truth, life-saving interventions have always been in place. Ireland, without abortion, is a recognised world leader in safety for pregnant women. It is a tragedy that those campaigning for abortion legislation have been successful in creating the opposite impression,” she said.

Dr Cullen also expressed concern at the way The Irish Times today repeated the claim that Savita Halappanavar died because she was denied a termination of pregnancy:
“The Irish Times has obviously decided to ignore the conclusions of the coroner’s inquest into the tragic death of Savita and decided instead to stick rigidly to its original misleading presentation of what happened. This is most regrettable,” Dr Cullen concluded.

www.prolifecampaign.ie

Devote energies to the repeal of unjust law, 30.7.13

Pro Life Campaign 'will now devote its energies to the repeal of unjust law' as President signs abortion bill into law

PLC volunteers at Dáil Éireann during debates and votes on abortion bill

The Pro Life Campaign has said the passage into law today of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill “is a very sad day for our country” and “for the first time in our history makes it legal to deliberately target the life of an innocent human being.”

Caroline Simons of the Pro Life Campaign said: “Despite what the Taoiseach and others claim, the new law is life-ending, not life-saving. The Government brought forward this law in the full knowledge that abortion is not a treatment for suicidal feelings and ignored all the peer-reviewed evidence showing that abortion has adverse mental health consequences for women.

“This is a very sad day for our country. For the first time in our history, it is now legal to deliberately target the life of an innocent human being. The Pro Life Campaign will now devote its energies to the repeal of this unjust law. We will give very careful consideration in the coming weeks to the best way to bring this about."

“The pro-life movement is mobilised and growing. We have seen the biggest ever gatherings of pro-life people in recent weeks. The passage of this bill into law marks a new beginning not an end for pro-life activism. Fine Gael has broken its solemn pre-election commitment not to introduce abortion legislation. This will most definitely be remembered at the next election.”

www.prolifecampaign.ie
 

Death of woman following Marie Stopes abortion in Britain “raises major questions”, says Pro Life Campaign

 

The Pro Life Campaign has said the tragic death of a woman from Ireland after undergoing an abortion in England in 2012 “raises major questions about the safety of abortion in certain clinics in addition to the obvious disregard for unborn life that abortion involves."

“This tragic story is not the first incident of a life-endangering situation involving an Irish woman at a Marie Stopes clinic”, Cora Sherlock of the Pro Life Campaign said.

“In December 2011, Dr Phanuel Dartey was struck off the General Medical Register in Britain for almost killing an Irish woman after performing a botched abortion at the Marie Stopes clinic in Ealing, London.

“In this latest story, the woman who died had no life-threatening condition before the abortion but developed grave complications within hours of the procedure. It raises very serious questions about the safety of abortion in certain clinics.

“It is disturbing the way some people are trying to use this tragic story to continue the push for abortion in Ireland when it is obvious the focus should be on what happened in the Marie Stopes clinic leading to her death.

“While official figures suggest that abortion in Britain is relatively safe for women, there have been several reports and incidents recently that challenge this claim.”

Ms Sherlock concluded: “We offer our sincere condolences to her husband and family over their terrible loss.”

www.prolifecampaign.ie

Decision to expel Denis Naughten from Health Committee 'autocratic and heavy-handed'

The Pro Life Campaign's Deputy Chairperson Cora Sherlock has accused the Government of behaving in an "autocratic and heavy-handed" way over its decision to expel Denis Naughten TD from the Oireachtas Health Committee.

Commenting on the decision Cora Sherlock said:

"It is clear that the Government is not prepared to tolerate any dissent at all on the abortion issue.  As a member of the Health Committee, Deputy Naughten raised very serious and legitimate concerns over the legislation and proposed a reasonable amendment.
Deputy Naughton also voted against the abortion Bill in the Dáil because, like many others, he was opposed to introducing abortion on the grounds of threatened suicide where there is not a shred of evidence that abortion is a treatment for suicidal feelings."

Fine Gael TDs who opposed the Bill were also removed from various Oireachtas Committees yesterday.  Deputy Peter Mathews were removed from the Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions and he and Deputy Billy Timmins were also removed from the Finance Committee.
TDs Terence Flanagan and Brian Walsh were removed from the Transport Committee.

"It is unacceptable that the Government is behaving in such an autocratic and heavy-handed manner in an attempt to drive alternative voices out of the debate", Ms. Sherlock concluded.


Deputy Denis Naughten TD

www.prolifecampaign.ie

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames' Speech against the Bill

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames

—————
Cathaoirleach, thank you for the opportunity to speak. I want to thank Senators Feargal Quinn and Mary Anne O’Brien for moving my Reasoned Amendment to this Bill yesterday.

This Bill has been a momentous journey for me. I came to this debate with an open mind. I was not and am not part of any campaign, pro-life or pro-choice. From the outset, my sole concern has been to ensure that any changes are in the best interests of expectant mothers and their unborn babies.
Ultimately, this bill is about allowing abortion in the case of threatened suicide. The absence of evidence to underpin this approach for a woman threatening suicide is addressed in my Reasoned Amendment on the Order paper.
A central point of agreement at the Oireachtas Hearings was that abortion is never a treatment for a woman with suicidal feelings.
Why then is the Government ignoring this and proceeding to sanction the taking of an innocent baby’s life when there is no evidence that this will save the mother’s life? Indeed the evidence shows that abortion may damage the woman mentally. I have met women from ‘Women Hurt’, women who’ve had abortions who have confirmed this.
I have also met Ms. C who was only 13 years old at the time she was raped and became pregnant. Her harrowing testimony describes how the HB took her to England for an abortion against her family's wishes robbing her of at least ten years of her life, leaving her with severe mental health after-affects from abortion, including suicide attempts. She had been under the impression that she was going to England to 'get the baby out'. She didn’t know that her baby would die. When she asked for the body of her baby to bury it there was none. She was only 13. This is an outcome of the X decision, a side of ‘liberal, modern, compassionate and caring’ Ireland we don’t like to talk about.
A female Fine Gael member, put it rather well to me last week. ‘If we offer abortion to a woman because she claims to be suicidal and we then find that she is suicidal afterwards, what do we offer her then?’
Surely we would do what we should have done originally.
But by permitting abortion on the flawed suicide ground have we not done her a grave injustice and changed her life path forever?
I found it interesting listening to commentators on the radio congratulating male TDs for making what they termed ‘pro-woman’ speeches in supporting abortion.
It highlighted just how one-sided and prejudiced the debate has become.
What is pro-woman about pressing ahead with a law that runs contrary to the expert psychiatric evidence from two sets of Hearings? This is a serious charge which the Government has not answered.
What is pro-woman about airbrushing out of the debate the stories of women like Ms C? What is pro-woman about conveniently side-stepping the story of Emma Beck, the young English artist who died by suicide after aborting her twins? The coroner at her inquest recommended that women be told about the possible negative effects of abortion before they go through with it. Sound advice – What is pro-woman about ignoring that?
Why did the Govt ignore the real concerns of Sam Coulter Smyth, Master of the Rotunda who works everyday at the coalface? Or the statement of 113 Irish psychiatrists? These are the very professionals who treat people with suicidal feelings every day. Their statement highlighted the deception in this Bill that Abortion is a treatment for suicidal intent.
And it is not in the best interests of women and their unborn babies to railroad through legislation for abortion simply because the Labour Party wanted it.
Have we completely lost it?  Have we learnt nothing from other countries? Women cherish their babies. When women are in difficulty, why aren’t we striving to be the most ‘pro-woman country’ in the world by offering them real help and hope instead of violent solutions?
If some of the speeches I heard yesterday were made thirty or forty years ago I’d probably agree with them. We have a shameful past.. But knowing that Ireland now consistently ranks in the top five countries in the world for protecting women in pregnancy, it is disappointing the way some people continue to mislead the public, simply to justify a pro-choice stance.
The Government insists that this legislation is about ‘saving women’s lives’.
If I thought for a minute that the legislation was about preventing a tragic death like that of Savita, I would be supporting it. But it is not. It is disgraceful the way Savita’s death has been hijacked to get abortion over the line. We know that a catalogue of medical errors led to her tragic death. We know that had her infection been spotted in time, that the doctors would have intervened to save her life.
Another assertion in favour of the bill is that it is ‘restrictive’. But it’s only as restrictive as the two-most pro-choice psychiatrists in the country. I am not saying that this law will lead to abortion on request overnight. But, the legislation is based on bogus grounds that in other countries has led to wide-ranging abortion.
The assurances given by the Minister that this will not happen here are just assurances. They carry no weight once the law is passed. There is nothing in the legislation itself to prevent two pro-choice psychiatrists from signing away the life of an unborn child once they claim it is their “reasonable opinion”. Given that there are no appropriate clinical markers to judge whether or not the intervention is necessary, they are free to sanction as many abortions as they wish. This absence of any objective standard by which medical practitioners must form an opinion is in my Amendment.
What does this say about our concern for the right to life of a defenceless unborn child? To me, it shows a failure to recognise the humanity and existence of the unborn.
The legislation before us, for the first time in our history, allows the direct and intentional destruction of unborn human life in situations where there is no medical evidence to support that intervention.
It saddens me that some who voted for the legislation in my party call it a ‘pro-life’ Bill. The Labour Party has campaigned for 21 years for X case legislation. Their campaign was never about life-saving treatments for women. It was always about the provision of abortion in Ireland where the life of the baby is ended.
That’s exactly what this Government’s bill provides for. Let’s not pretend otherwise. And Labour won’t stop there, they are already campaigning for repeal of the 8th Amendment.
And it is significant that the decision in X is not binding because the X case was not argued, a fact clarified at the Hearings from legal experts. Furthermore, the ECHR, does not require Ireland to legislate for X (Section (iii) of RA), but rather to clarify the existing provisions for pregnant women. We can do this w/out legislating for X.
This legislation, I contend, is unconstitutional. It provides no advocate for the unborn. There is no equality for the baby consistent with Article 40:3:3.
The Bill fails to adhere to international standards about conscientious objection.
There are no time limits. The bill allows for abortion up to birth. If as Minister Reilly says that viable babies will be delivered alive, why wasn’t an amendment taken on this in the Dáil? This is a horrendous scenario.
The legislation will have a profound impact on our culture. There is absolutely nothing consoling or hopeful in the Bill. It sanctions the ending of human lives rather than trying to do everything possible to safeguard life and in the process it deceives the expectant mother .
There has been far too much emphasis placed on the assurances given by the Minister, to assuage people’s consciences, and far too little focus on what the bill actually permits. There are no ‘pathways to care’ offered for suicidal women. They were refused at Dáil Report stage despite Lucinda Creighton’s best efforts.
My own personal story has shown me the great chance life is. Today I am a mother of two great kids because two other mothers chose life. I know that life is a gift. Our responsibility as citizens and legislators is to look out for one another, particularly the most vulnerable in society. This legislation goes to the core of everything we stand for. We have an obligation to welcome everyone in life and protect everyone in law. The very least we can do for future generations.
The amazing advances in ultrasound technology illuminate the truth that the unborn child is a human being. In 1967, when the abortion law was introduced in Britain, politicians could have pleaded ignorance to the humanity of the unborn. In 2013, we don’t have this excuse.
I don’t want to lose the Fine Gael party whip but I do want to exercise my human right to make a conscientious decision. Almost every western democracy provides for a free vote on moral issues like abortion. Why don’t we have the confidence to trust our parliamentarians to make the right decision, without a whip?
I have been a committed member of Fine Gael for many years, the party that made a solemn promise to voters not to legalise abortion. It saddens me greatly that Fine Gael has broken this promise.
In the words of Thomas Moore: “Any public servant who would forsake his private conscience for the sake of his public duties, leads his country down the short route to chaos.”
In closing, I want to quote from a woman who emailed me. She said: “This Bill is particularly important to me because I am a woman, I am a psychologist and I’m pregnant. This legislation is meant for me. It is meant to make me feel more protected in pregnancy, but it does not. I know that as things currently stand in Ireland, without any legislation, that I will not be denied any treatment needed to save my life even if it leads to the unintentional death of my baby. I feel fully protected by that.”
Who could argue with that clarity? A clarity that I fully accept is reaffirmed in Sections 7 & 8 of this Bill.
So with a heavy heart and aware of what it will mean for my future in Fine Gael, but knowing that I have the best intention for expectant mothers and their babies, I cannot support the Bill as it stands.
Colleagues, Senators on all sides of the House, I ask you to support my Amendment.
I want to thank you all for listening. I appreciate the depth of feeling expressed on both sides of this debate.

www.prolifecampaign.ie

Video of Silent Vigil during Dáil abortion vote – 11th July 2013

It has been a very difficult and gruelling few weeks for pro-life supporters. The YouTube below captures the mood and feeling outside Leinster House when pro-life people came together in silent vigil during the Dáil votes on the abortion bill. The road back will not be easy but the strength and resolve of the pro-life movement which has emerged in recent months is the kind of foundation that will ensure this unjust law will be overturned. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmayiWp6SJI

www.prolifecampaign.ie

 

Answer to the latest claims that have been made by Minister James Reilly and supported by An Taoiseach and others

The below document provides a short answer to the latest claims that have been made by Minister James Reilly and supported by An Taoiseach and others in recent days and weeks.

These claims are simply not true.  We believe it is important that it is put on the record on this day, a day when abortion is being voted through Dáil Eireann for the first time in our history.

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The latest claims from Minister James Reilly – and why they are not true

To put maximum pressure on TDs with concerns about the abortion legislation, Minister for Health James Reilly has been making a number of claims that aren’t true. 

Claim 1: Minister Reilly says the legislation restates the general prohibition on abortion in Ireland.

So did the British abortion legislation. Abortion remains technically illegal in Britain but there are all sorts of exceptions meaning abortion on demand.
The Government is doing the same with this legislation. It is criminalising abortion, but creating wide exceptions – including where the abortion is sought based on a threat of suicide. The psychiatrists have to state that the abortion is the only means of averting the threat. But they have no evidence to go on, and there is no way of proving them wrong.

Claim 2: This legislation is only about saving women’s lives.

If only! We’d all support it. Ireland is recognised as one of the safest countries in the world for women in pregnancy.
If we provide abortion in response to a suicide threat, an unknown number of unborn children will be killed. Also, we may endanger the mental health of some women. The Master of the Rotunda Hospital, Dr Sam Coulter-Smith, repeated his concerns last week about the proposed legislation, saying that terminations in cases of suicide threats are not evidence-based and could ‘create more problems’.

Claim 3: The safeguards against abortion in the new legislation are much stronger than those that exist at present.

This is untrue. The existing situation is imperfect but it’s better than legislation for X. In the 21 years since the X decision, no abortion regime has taken hold in Ireland. But now for the first time, legislation will activate a legal mechanism for pro-choice psychiatrists to sanction an abortion because they deem a threat of suicide to amount to a risk to life.
Why are pro-choice Labour people who have campaigned for 21 years to liberalise our abortion law happy with this legislation? Anne Ferris says she’ll open a bottle of champagne when this goes through. Ruairí Quinn said in the Dáil a fortnight ago, “The enactment of this legislation will ensure that we arrive to a point where women in the Republic of Ireland do have the right to choose.” Ciara Conway says she’s proud to support the legislation. They obviously don’t think it’s restrictive!
The motivation behind the legislation has always been to appease Labour and its demand for the introduction of abortion.

Claim 4: Minister Reilly says we need this legislation because we are in the dark about what’s happening in our hospitals, whether abortions are taking place, whether the X case is being abused etc.

This is nonsense. It’s clear from the Oireachtas Health Committee hearings that a small number of necessary procedures for physical conditions result in the unintended loss of unborn children every year but nobody has any ethical concerns about this.
There have been no reports from the Gardaí, the media or elsewhere of abortions taking place in Ireland because psychiatrists have sanctioned it. There are no allegations of unnecessary medical interventions being approved for physical conditions in hospitals. Regardless of this, the Government knows that guidelines without X case legislation could give clarity here. We certainly shouldn’t create a mechanism for suicide-based abortions and pretend that this will make the situation better.
Activating the X case, which opens the door to abortion, cannot be called ‘pro-life’. We are introducing lethal procedures that have no medical evidence to back them up.

Claim 5: Fine Gael TDs must vote for this or we will end up with a more liberal abortion regime.

Despite these claims of James Reilly, the legislation is not restrictive. It gives us the liberal abortion regime that the X case made possible. This legislation is not the first step to liberal abortion. It is liberal abortion within a few years once the suicide ground becomes freely used. This happened with the ‘damage to mental health’ ground in Britain and the ‘suicide’ ground in California.
Remember, there is NO way for psychiatrists to know whether a suicide will take place or not, and no way to show that they have abused the legislation, even if it turns out that a small number of psychiatrists are sanctioning most of the abortions. They can simply hide behind the fact that they have certified ‘in good faith’. It’s abortion on request.
Most psychiatrists appear to be against the legislation. 113 psychiatrists have come out so far because of their real fear about how this law will be abused. We only need a small number of psychiatrists with pro-choice views to carry out abortions under the legislation.

Claim 6: Minister Reilly will come down hard if there’s evidence of abuses and close down facilities if necessary.

Even one abortion on the ground of threatened suicide is an irreversible, unjust act. We are going to have many.
But what can the Minister do anyhow? Abortion on the grounds of threatened suicide may have no medical justification but two psychiatrists and one obstetrician will be allowed to sign away the life of the child. The Oireachtas Health Committee hearings brought out the deep reservations among both obstetricians and psychiatrists about what is being sanctioned here. But despite his claims, the Minister has no way to second guess what any two psychiatrists may choose to do under the legislation or why they sign that form.

Claim 7: There are rare cases where a suicidal woman needs abortion to save her life.

No, actually, this is not the case. Where a woman has an underlying mental health illness, abortion is not the answer and could well be counter-productive for a woman’s mental health. It is not medical treatment.
Where there is no underlying mental illness, it’s not a medical situation at all. Psychiatrists just happen to be the ones asked to certify a woman’s eligibility for abortion. They can ask questions to determine how suicidal the woman is, they can suggest alternatives, but they have no way of knowing whether the woman will or will not commit suicide or whether the abortion will or will not affect the decision. Psychiatrists may decide on the basis of educated guesswork, pro-choice ideology or maybe just sanction the abortion as the best bet against being sued. Whatever they do, the Minister has no way of policing it.

Claim 8: The Government’s acceptance of an amendment to preserve the life of the unborn ‘as far as practicable’ should reassure pro-life people.

The amendment just adds insult to injury because it is so meaningless. It restates what’s already there and will have absolutely no effect when it comes to a woman who says she is suicidal. It remains the case that the Government is preparing to pass legislation that is not evidenced based and will certainly lead to the destruction of unborn human life. It also has the potential to put women’s lives at risk as the adverse effects of abortion on women are being ignored.

www.prolifecampaign.ie

Minister Reilly’s amendment to abortion bill “adds insult to injury”, says Dr Ruth Cullen

 

“The Minister for Health’s recent offering of an amendment to preserve the life of the unborn ‘as far as practicable’ just adds insult to injury because it is so meaningless,” says Dr Ruth Cullen of the Pro Life Campaign.

"It just restates what’s already there and will have absolutely no effect when it comes to a woman who says she is suicidal. It remains the case that the Government is preparing to pass legislation that is not evidenced based and will certainly lead to the destruction of unborn human life. It also has the potential to put women’s lives at risk as the adverse effects of abortion on women are being ignored.

It is appalling the way Fine Gael TDs are being bullied to vote for this bill. Pro-life people have lobbied their TDs to vote against the bill which is perfectly legitimate in a democracy. But the Fine Gael leadership is asking its TDs to vote against their consciences. That’s an entirely different matter. To force someone to vote against their conscience is a despicable and inexcusable thing to do,” Dr Cullen concluded.

www.prolifecampaign.ie

Pro Life Campaign challenges Minister for Health to public debate on abortion issue

“Unbelievable that Government has never debated contents of Bill live on air,” says Cora Sherlock

The Pro Life Campaign said it is disappointed at the result of this evening’s Second Stage vote on abortion in the Dáil but welcomed the fact that an initial four Fine Gael TDs voted against the bill. The Pro Life Campaign has also challenged the Minister for Health to a public debate on the contents of the bill saying it is “unbelievable” that he has never debated its contents live on air with opponents of the bill.

Pro Life Campaign spokesperson Cora Sherlock said: “While we are disappointed at this evening’s vote, we congratulate the TDs who voted against the bill, particularly those who were prepared to defy their party whip and vote with their conscience. We are confident that many more TDs will join them over the coming days in opposing the bill.

Ms Sherlock said: “It is cruel and unjust the way TDs with conscientious objections are being pressured and bullied to toe the party line. The Minister for Health has never debated the proposed legislation live on air with opponents of the bill. This is unbelievable given the seriousness of the issue. The Government has a duty to give the public an opportunity to hear the bill debated properly. The Pro Life Campaign challenges the Minister for Health to a public debate on the contents of the bill and what it would mean in practice, before it reaches the final stage in the Dáil.”



Pro Life Campaign volunteers at Dáil Éireann as the debate continues on the abortion legislation

www.prolifecampaign.ie

New opinion poll reveals majority opposes abortion on suicide ground

A new Amárach opinion poll has revealed that a clear majority of people are opposed to abortion as a response to a suicide threat. The poll, commissioned by the Pro Life Campaign, asked respondents to scale their support or opposition to abortion “if it were clearly shown that abortion is not a suitable treatment for a pregnant woman with suicidal feelings”. Of those who expressed an opinion, 60% said they would be ‘very unlikely’ or ‘unlikely’ to support abortion on such grounds. Just 40% of respondents said they would be ‘very likely’ or ‘likely’ to support abortion in those cases.
These findings contrast with previous opinion polls showing majority support for abortion on the suicide ground, but those polls did not draw respondents’ attention to the lack of medical evidence for abortion as a response to suicidal feeling.

“The key issue is public information,” Pro Life Campaign spokesperson Caroline Simons said in response to the poll. “The Government is fully aware from two sets of Oireachtas hearings that there is no medical evidence that abortion is an appropriate response to a suicide threat but they have refused to present this reality to the public. Legislating for abortion on the ground of threatened suicide shows complete disregard for the lives of women as well as for the unborn.  These latest poll findings clearly show that when people are made aware of the fact that abortion is not a treatment for suicidal feelings they are much less inclined to support abortion on this ground,” she said.


PLC spokespeople Dr Berry Kiely, Caroline Simons, Geraldine Martin and Wendy Grace

The poll also reveals 78% support a free vote on the abortion legislation versus 13% who said politicians should be required to vote with their parties. Ms Simons said that many Fine Gael TDs were very anxious to get a free vote but were coming under extreme pressure from senior members of Government. “Several Fine Gael TDs we have spoken to in recent days are very upset and even distressed at the way they are being pressured to vote for the bill,” she said. “And their frustration is with the Government, not us. A number of TDs have also expressed disgust at the way Justice Minister Alan Shatter seems to have no difficulty with imposing the party whip on this highly sensitive issue but when it suited him during the hare coursing debate he was all in favour of a free vote.”

The poll also found a continuing strong majority for prohibiting abortion once the distinction is made between abortion and all necessary life-saving treatment for women. Asked about “constitutional protection for the unborn that prohibits abortion but allows the existing practice of intervention to save a mother’s life in accordance with Irish medical ethics,” of those who expressed an opinion 69% were in favour with just 31% opposed.

"Taken together, these polls undermine claims that a broad consensus in favour of the Government’s abortion legislation actually exists. These polls differ from other recent polls by clarifying the important distinction between ethical life-saving treatment and induced abortion including on the suicide ground where the baby’s life is targeted.

“Irish opinion supports the weight of medical and psychiatric opinion against abortion on the grounds of suicide. The Government should stop misrepresenting the situation, listen to the experts and respect the informed opinion of the Irish people.”

Caroline Simons, Geraldine Martin 

www.prolifecampaign.ie

Pro Life Campaign welcomes statements from two more Oireachtas Members that they will vote against abortion Bill

More and more TDs and Senators realise that legislation is life-ending, not life-saving

 

In a statement today Deputy Chairperson of the Pro Life Campaign Cora Sherlock welcomed the decision of Fine Gael Senator Tom Sheahan and Independent TD Denis Naughten to vote against the Government’s proposed abortion legislation.

Senator Tom Sheahan confirmed that he would vote against the legislation given serious issues he has with it while Deputy Denis Naughten, a member of the Oireachtas Health Committee said that he wouldn't be voting for the legislation if the provision for abortion on the grounds of suicide remains.

Ms. Sherlock said: “It is heartening that more Oireachtas Members understand what is really contained in this Bill and see how truly unjust it is.  For example the Bill permits abortion through the full nine months of pregnancy and it denies the fact that abortion, rather than being a treatment for suicidal ideation, actually exposes women to greater risk of negative mental health consequences."

She continued: “We applaud those who are willing to stand up against this legislation.  They deserve our thanks. It is completely undemocratic that to date there has been no real debate in the Dáil on what the abortion Bill actually contains. If there was, I expect that many more TDs and Senators would voice their opposition to it.”

“Our Taoiseach has ignored the right of conscience on this issue.   It is a shame that TDs and Senators are being forced to chose between their livelihood and their conscience", Ms. Sherlock concluded

 

www.prolifecampaign.ie

 

There is no legal requirement for suicide exemptions

This article appeared in the print edition of the Sunday Business Post on 23rd June 2013

Dr. Maria Cahill speaking to the Oireachtas Health Committee 

Although the European Court of Human Rights specifically requested that Ireland provide legal clarity in relation to lawful medical treatments in pregnancy, the political rhetoric surrounding the introduction of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill has been a model of legal obfuscation.

The government has been keen to emphasise that it is obliged to legislate to introduce abortion on the grounds of suicidal intent, and both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health have, on countless occasions, presented this 'obligation' as deriving from law: from the Constitution or from the European Court of Human Rights or from the Supreme Court.

So long as this political rhetoric around legal obligation holds sway, frank debate about the terms and merits of the legislation is almost impossible. Indeed so long as this political rhetoric is unchallenged, there is no necessity for the minister to present the legislation as medically justifiable and legally legitimate; he can simply say that he has no choice.

Is the government constitutionally obliged to legislate for a Supreme Court judgment? No, as a matter of law. The Constitution gives permission to the Dáil and the Seanad to legislate, rather than imposing such an obligation on them. There are examples dating all the way back to 1965 of the Court establishing that various rights exist, only to have fourteen successive governments decline, in the lawful exercise of their discretion, to legislate to provide an express statutory footing for these rights. The only constitutional obligation is that legislation must remain within the terms of the Constitution. In this instance, the right to life protected in Article 40.3.3 must be fully vindicated.

Is the government legally obliged to legislate for a suicide-based exemption from the right to life because of the European Court of Human Rights ruling in the case of ABC v Ireland? No, as a matter of law. The Rules of the Committee of Ministers require that Ireland should adopt measures that are "effective for preventing the recurrence" of the breach that was found in the case of ABC v. Ireland. Applicant C, following an internet search, diagnosed that her cancer might return during her pregnancy, and then went to England to have an abortion. She was not suicidal. A suicide-based exemption from the right to life would not have clarified her legal position at all. 

Aside from the fact that the Oireachtas is under no constitutional obligation to legislate for the X case, is a future court bound by that precedent to allow suicide-based exemptions from the right to life? No, as a matter of law. The X case is in a separate category of judicial decisions because of what it did not decide. As every first year law student learns, a precedent is only binding in relation to the points that were decided in the case.

All the points that were "entirely overlooked or conceded without argument" are not part of the decision, as the Supreme Court itself ruled in 1965. If a point is not argued before the judge, the judge cannot make a decision on that point, and there is therefore no precedent on that point. If it were to be otherwise — if precedents could be made based on what the judges did not decide in court — then we would not be living under the rule of law. 

In the X case, the Attorney General did not contest whether abortion was an appropriate treatment for suicidality. That is why neither the High Court nor the Supreme Court heard any legal arguments or medical evidence on the question of whether suicidality should be treated by abortion. The point was entirely overlooked or conceded without argument and therefore, according to the Supreme Court, no precedent exists on that point.

Is the X case the most recent legal decision in the area of suicide-based exemptions from law? No, as a matter of law. In 2006, the Cosma case concerned a woman who threatened to commit suicide if she were deported. The High Court based its ruling on the test of "real and substantial risk" determined in the X case, but developed that test in important ways.

First, it required that the risk should be demonstrated in the context of an ongoing psychiatric relationship where the patient would receive counselling and all psychiatric treatment that she needed. Second, it held that she should demonstrate that all other avenues for treating her suicidality should have been thoroughly considered before concluding that revoking the deportation order was necessary.

Moreover, the Court ruled that the Minister for Justice was entitled to take into account the floodgates argument and to refuse to quash the deportation order because other people might abuse a suicide-based exemption. The minister had argued that allowing suicide-based exemptions would open "a Pandora's box" with the effect of "paralysing" the operation of the rule of law in general.

The concept of suicide-based exemptions from law is a new one in the Irish legal system and it warrants careful consideration. There are many cases, like the Cosma case, where people have presented psychiatric evidence regarding their suicidal ideation because of a deportation order or a European Arrest Warrant; should they now be granted exemptions by the courts?

There are also many unfortunate instances of Irish people who are suicidal because of crippling financial constraints; should they also be granted suicide-based exemptions from making mortgage repayments or paying taxes? Before embarking on this entirely novel approach to legislative obligation, shouldn't we ask the question whether there is psychiatric evidence supporting suicide-based exemptions from law as an effective way of treating suicidality?

The legal reality is that there is no obligation on the Government deriving from the Constitution or from the European Court of Human Rights or from the Supreme Court to propose legislation for a suicide-based exemption from the right to life.

When we hold to that legal reality then we can begin to debate the real question: is it just to propose that the right to life of one person can be denied if another threatens to commit suicide due to the very existence of that first person? This is the question that should be discussed in Dáil Éireann this week.

 

Dr Maria Cahill is a Lecturer in Constitutional Law in University College Cork and was invited by the Oireachtas Health Committee to give evidence at the hearings on the Heads of Bill in May.

 

by Dr. Maria Cahill, Faculty of Law, UCC

www.prolifecampaign.ie

 

Abortion - life saving?

PLC says it’s “dishonest” for Government to claim that abortion in the case of threatened suicide is life saving when it is life ending

“Minister Reilly’s admission that more babies will be born with severe disabilities if Bill is passed highlights obscene nature of the proposal” – Sherlock

 

The Pro Life campaign has described as “shamelessly dishonest” the claim by the Government that providing abortion in the case of threatened suicide is life saving, when it is life ending. Commenting on the introduction of the abortion Bill before the Dáil today, Cora Sherlock of the Pro Life Campaign said: “It is time to end the deception. The Government knows full well from the evidence at two separate Oireachtas hearings that abortion is not a treatment for suicidal ideation. Trying to claim otherwise is dishonest.”

“If the Government genuinely wants to improve healthcare for women and unborn babies, it should admit that it has not a shred of psychiatric or medical evidence to support its position.”

 

Ms Sherlock said: “Minister Reilly’s admission earlier this week that more babies will be born with severe disabilities if the Bill is passed highlights the obscene nature of the proposal. When introducing the Bill today, there will be a lot of talk from the Government benches about it being a ‘restrictive’ and ‘life saving’ proposal. In truth, many of those who will defend the Bill know this is not the case.

"It is a sad day for our country. However, the pro-life movement is re-energised and growing like never before and we will stay focussed for however long it takes in building the opposition to the Government’s dangerous and unjust plan.”, Ms Sherlock concluded.

Below are some pictures of Pro Life Campaign volunteers at Dáil Eireann on 20th June, the day the abortion legislation was introduced into the Dáil

 

www.prolifecampaign.ie

 

A message from Caroline Simons at this important time

Dear Friend,

 

This is a defining week in our history as legislation for abortion comes before the Dáil.

Many members of the Oireachtas are refusing to engage in meaningful discussion on what the Government’s proposal entails. It is very troubling to see TDs pressurised by party handlers and the party whip to vote for abortion.

People are rightly offended when Government spokespersons distract from the abortion bill by focusing on the unacceptable behaviour of a tiny minority (whose allegience is unknown) in order to demonise the whole pro-life movement.

We all know that the overwhelming majority of pro-life people debate this issue in a calm, courteous and responsible manner.  As Labour TD Joanna Tuffy tweeted recently, “the vast majority of correspondence from my pro-life constituents is respectful” and that pro-life people were “just putting their viewpoints across.”

There is always a tiny minority of individuals who behave inappropriately. When someone on the pro-life side does so, we must not hesitate to name it and make it clear that such behaviour is wrong and counterproductive. But we cannot allow it to distract from the main issues in the debate.

In recent weeks the Pro Life Campaign and some of the other pro-life groups have received vile and disturbing threats on phone, email and social media.  But rather than run to the media, we reported them to the Gardaí. Instead of drip feeding stories to the media in an attempt to damage the pro-life movement, it would be more appropriate for members of government to similarly report any threatening incidents to the Gardai.

No question, this is a challenging time for us all. But I'm sure you'll agree that it’s also a privilege to be part of such a noble cause.  Together, we are playing a vital role in building a culture of respect for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.

The Government may well think the pro-life groundswell evident today will die away in a month or so when they turn their attention to other government business. As the pro-life vigils have shown, that’s not going to happen. For us, it will just be a beginning.

There will be plenty of time after this phase of the campaign to expose the lies and misrepresentation that has gone on.

But for now, we need to stay focussed on the task at hand.  Let's continue to do all we can to urge our politicians to consider the real implications of this terrible Bill and encourage as many as possible to vote against it.

And let's encourage everyone we know to stay positive and do the cause proud.

Thank you for your prayers and continued support.

 

Caroline Simons
Pro Life Campaign

 

www.prolifecampaign.ie

 

 

Press Conference by the Pro Life Campaign

 

Life-and-death issues deserve a free vote – Pro Life Campaign

 

“Travesty for the Taoiseach to demonise the pro-life community as a whole by focussing on the unacceptable behaviour of a tiny minority” – Simons

 

 

Geraldine Martin, Professor William Binchy, Caroline Simons, Dr. Berry Kiely, Seana Stafford

 

TDs and Senators should be free to vote according to their consciences on the Government’s abortion legislation, the Pro Life Campaign said today.
Speaking at a PLC Press Conference at Buswells Hotel, Dublin today, Caroline Simons said:  "The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill is causing unprecedented concern throughout the country and ordinary citizens cannot understand why their views are not being represented in Dáil Éireann.

“There is a real danger to our democracy if people are prevented from voting according to their consciences on life-and-death issues. Political parties in other countries, including Britain, don’t have a problem with a free vote on crucial issues. The sky doesn’t fall. In fact, democracy is strengthened because the full range of viewpoints is properly represented as a result,” Ms Simons said.

“It’s true that Irish political parties by and large have not followed this tradition, but we’ve never had legislation like the ‘Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill’ before. This legislation permits the direct killing of unborn children even into the late stages of pregnancy. Not only that the suicide ground hasn’t a shred of medical evidence to support it. This is an appalling indictment of the Government’s proposal.”
Addressing the suggestion that a free vote would result in politicians coming under excessive pressure or intimidation, Ms Simons said:
“Either we trust the electorate or we don’t. While there are always fringe elements on any issue the majority of people can be trusted to engage in responsible political discussion with their TDs and with those who disagree with them. It is a travesty for the Taoiseach to demonise the pro-life community as a whole by focussing on the unacceptable behaviour of a tiny minority whose allegiance in any case is unknown.
“In the context of a free vote, the Pro Life Campaign, and I’ve no doubt, the other main pro-life groups, would call out and challenge unacceptable behaviour. I would expect the pro-choice side to do the same.”
“This is a defining week in our history," Ms Simons said, "as legislation comes before the Dáil allowing abortion to be introduced. It is unthinkable that members of the Oireachtas would be forced to vote against their consciences on this life and death issue.”

www.prolifecampaign.ie

Decision to oppose the Abortion Bill

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames’ decision to oppose the Government’s abortion Bill is “courageous and compassionate”

 

In a statement welcoming Senator Healy Eames’ decision to vote against the Government on the proposed abortion legislation, PLC spokesperson Cora Sherlock said that the personal sacrifice of losing the backing of one’s party “was not one that should be underestimated”.

“No-one should be under the impression that it is easy for a politician to step outside the party they have been a part of for a long time."

It is particularly hard for a Senator, who relies on the votes of County Councillors from across his or her party to get elected. The irony of the situation is that Senator Healy Eames is losing the party whip for standing by a specific pledge made by her own party at the last General Election.

“As she said in her own statement, there are many in Fine Gael who are disappointed that the party is breaking its pre-election, pro-life promise.”

Senator Healy Eames made it clear in her statement that while she was opposing the legislation she is fully supportive of medical interventions to save a woman’s life in pregnancy. However she also said that she could not support “a bill that will make it legal to intentionally destroy unborn human life where there isn’t a shred of medical evidence to justify it”.

The Senator's announcement comes just days after a similar statement from Deputy Peadar Toibín of Sinn Féin.  

“Senator Healy Eames and others are taking this stance because they has looked at the evidence. It is to be hoped that this example will be followed by many other TDs and Senators before the Bill is voted on", Ms. Sherlock concluded.

www.prolifecampaign.ie

 

Completely misleading for Sinn Féin leader

“Completely misleading for Sinn Féin leader to claim X Case legislation is necessary to save women’s lives”, says Dr Cullen

“Abortion is not a treatment for suicidal feelings”

Deputy Peadar Toibín TD

The Pro Life Campaign has described as “completely misleading” claims by Sinn Féin party leader Gerry Adams that the Government "needs to legislate in line with the X Case to protect pregnant women when their lives are at risk". Mr Adams was responding to the news that Sinn Féin TD Peadar Tóbín plans to vote against the legislation.

Dr Ruth Cullen of the Pro Life Campaign said: “The Sinn Féin leader knows full well that legislating for the X case includes abortion on the ground of threatened suicide, even though all the psychiatric evidence shows that abortion is not a treatment for suicidal feelings. If Mr Adams paid any attention to the recent Oireachtas hearings, he would also be aware that far from treating mental health problems, abortion can trigger severe adverse mental health consequences for women. It is completely misleading therefore for Mr Adams to claim that X Case legislation is necessary to save women’s lives.”

“Instead of coercing its TDs to vote for this dangerous and unjust legislation which will allow for the first time in our history the direct intentional targeting of the life of the unborn, the Sinn Féin Party, like the other political parties, should respect the freedom of conscience of its Oireachtas members and allow a free vote on the issue.”

www.prolifecampaign.ie

PLC welcomes HSE review into tragic death of Savita Halappanavar

“Surely it is a moment for reflection on the rush to judgment in this tragic case?” says Dr Kiely

 

The Pro Life Campaign has welcomed the publication of the HSE review into the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar. PLC spokesperson Dr Berry Kiely said the review “highlights yet again that the key issues in the death of Ms Halappanavar were multiple failures to properly assess and monitor her condition which resulted in a tragic failure to recognise the very real risk to her life posed by serious infection. If this risk had been recognised the outcome might have been very different.”

Dr Kiely said: “This confirms what the Pro Life Campaign has always claimed, that the way some politicians and media fastened on Savita’s tragic death as somehow bolstering their call for abortion legislation was misplaced and even opportunistic.

“Surely it is a moment for reflection on the rush to judgment in this tragic case? The Government has plans to introduce very radical abortion legislation and so far there has not been anywhere near the level of scrutiny needed.

“I hope the findings of the HSE and Inquest reports will give some measure of comfort to Praveen Halappanavar and Savita’s extended family and that all the lessons to be learned will be implemented,” she concluded.

www.prolifecampaign.ie

Pro Life Campaign says it is “dishonest” for Government to claim abortion proposal is “restrictive” and “life-saving”

“Political leaders completely underestimating strength and resolve of the pro-life movement,” says Simons

 

The Pro Life Campaign said the Government’s proposed legislation on abortion published late last night “will allow, for the first time in our history, the direct intentional targeting of the life of the unborn child” and is “a million miles away from good medicine, from the kind of life-saving intervention which everybody supports.”  

 

Commenting on the publication, Caroline Simons of the Pro Life Campaign said:
“The legislation published last night is every bit as dangerous and unjust as the heads of the Bill brought forward last month. Activating the X case by legislation will allow, for the first time in our history, the direct intentional targeting of the life of the unborn child. There is no getting away from this awful reality. It is a million miles away from good medicine, from the kind of life-saving intervention which everybody supports.  
One of the most regrettable features of this debate has been the corruption of language. The Taoiseach and Cabinet Ministers, continue – with no hint of shame – to use words like ‘restrictive’ and ‘life-saving’ to describe their plans.
But these words are meaningless and empty. The only thing that matters is what the law actually permits and what it permits is abortion on wide-ranging grounds.
The reality is that two psychiatrists of like mind can sign away an unborn child’s life on grounds that have nothing to do with bona fide medical treatment. There is nothing life-saving, just or restrictive about that. The obstetrician required by law will have no role in certifying the eligibility for such abortions. In reality, it amounts to abortion on request. To state otherwise is dishonest.
Instead of demonising the pro-life movement as he did in the Dáil yesterday, the Taoiseach should face up to the dangers in his abortion plan and stop misrepresenting what it permits.
Last weekend’s National Vigil for Life in Merrion Square showed the scale of the opposition that is emerging as the true horror of the Government’s abortion legislation becomes clearer. It showed a pro-life movement mobilising like never before. Nothing the Government does will stop the growth of this movement. The Government may well think the pro-life groundswell will die away in a month or so when they turn their attention to other government business. I can assure them that’s not going to happen. For us, it’s just the beginning.
The Government’s ignoring the evidence that abortion is not a treatment for suicidal feelings won’t make that evidence go away. Similarly, ignoring the growth of the pro-life movement won’t make it go away either.
What has emerged in recent months is a young, vibrant, politically savvy and compassionate movement for life. The leaders of the main political parties haven’t even begun to recognise the political significance of the emergence of this new fast growing movement,” Ms Simons said.

www.prolifecampaign.ie