4 October 2001 Edition
Spring abortion poll likely
By MICHAEL PIERSE
Sinn FÈin is studying proposed legislative changes to the 26-County Constitution regarding abortion following the publication this week of proposals for a referendum on the issue.
The referendum is likely to be held in Spring 2002 - and definitely before a general election in the state, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has revealed.
The Dublin government proposal aims to redefine the meaning of abortion, to ensure that what it terms "ethically legitimate procedures" are not categorised as forms of abortion. The implication of this is that where a woman's life is in danger - aside from the risk posed by suicide - the woman will be permitted the right to have what is currently termed an abortion. The level of danger posed to a woman's life will be decided by a medical practitioner.
The legislation also makes the 'morning after' pill and intra-uterine devices lawful, and guarantees the right of a woman to travel abroad to have an abortion. However, it also rolls back the Supreme Court decision in the X Case, in which the threat of suicide was deemed grounds for an abortion.
This is being cited as the main reason for pro-choice groups Abortion Reform and the Irish Family Planning Association, objecting to the proposals. The Pro-Life Campaign gave an initial welcome to the proposals, with the medical profession and Catholic Church also believed to be generally supportive.
Sinn FÈin is studying proposed legislative changes to the 26-County Constitution regarding abortion following the publication this week of proposals for a referendum on the issue.
The referendum is likely to be held in Spring 2002 - and definitely before a general election in the state, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has revealed.
The Dublin government proposal aims to redefine the meaning of abortion, to ensure that what it terms "ethically legitimate procedures" are not categorised as forms of abortion. The implication of this is that where a woman's life is in danger - aside from the risk posed by suicide - the woman will be permitted the right to have what is currently termed an abortion. The level of danger posed to a woman's life will be decided by a medical practitioner.
The legislation also makes the 'morning after' pill and intra-uterine devices lawful, and guarantees the right of a woman to travel abroad to have an abortion. However, it also rolls back the Supreme Court decision in the X Case, in which the threat of suicide was deemed grounds for an abortion.
This is being cited as the main reason for pro-choice groups Abortion Reform and the Irish Family Planning Association, objecting to the proposals. The Pro-Life Campaign gave an initial welcome to the proposals, with the medical profession and Catholic Church also believed to be generally supportive.