Today marks a milestone in Irish history, as the government has confirmed that it will introduce legislation that allows abortions in Ireland under certain circumstances.
According to reports, this decision follows immense pressure from the European Court of Human Rights, which had previously ruled that abortions should be allowed in the Republic of Ireland in cases where a woman’s life was directly at risk.
Speaking earlier today, the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, said that the Cabinet would proceed with the issue with a mixture of “legislation with regulation.”
According to the Taoiseach, these new measures will be based on proposals given to the government earlier today by a special Expert Group. It is believed that the legislation will allow for terminations where there is a medical risk to a woman’s life or when she is thought to be in danger of taking her own life.
However, it is unclear if the law will allow abortions in controversial cases where rape or sexual abuse is involved.
The need for abortion legislation came into the spotlight last month when Savita Halappanavar died in Galway University Hospital after a miscarriage. Savita and her husband repeatedly asked for a termination of her pregnancy but they were refused it. Her husband alleged that medical staff in the hospital told them “this is a Catholic country” and refused to carry out the termination.
The Minister for Health said it was a sensitive issue but the government would fulfil its duty to Irish women
“I know that most people have personal views on this matter. However, the government is committed to ensuring that the safety of pregnant women in Ireland is maintained and strengthened,” said the Minister for Health, James Reilly, speaking after the Cabinet discussed the issue.
“We must fulfil our duty of care towards them. For that purpose we will clarify in legislation and regulation what is available by way of treatment to a woman when a pregnancy gives rise to a threat to a woman’s life.
“We will also clarify what is legal for the professionals who must provide that care while at all times taking full account of the equal right to life of the unborn child,” Minister Reilly added.
