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View Full Version : Abortion in Ireland permitted when mother's life at risk



Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant'
18th December 2012, 16:37
Following on from previous post -
http://www.revleft.com/vb/woman-dies-after-t176315/index.html

The Irish government has announced it will legislate for abortion in circumstances where the mother's life is at risk.
The move follows the report of an expert group set up to advise on how to bring legal clarity to the issue.
The move comes seven weeks after the death of Savita Halappanavar.
Abortion is currently illegal in Ireland except where there is a real and substantial risk to a mother's life, as distinct from her health.
However, up until now the government has not enacted legislation to give certainty to doctors as to when terminations can be carried out and under what circumstances.
The Irish government said the new legislative framework will require a combination of legislation and regulations in cases where the life of a woman is at risk.
The new package of measures will comply with the government's obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights.
In a statement, the Republic of Ireland's health minister said he was "very conscious of the sensitivities" around the issue.
"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 minister James Reilly.
"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."

(More here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20768743)

BOZG
18th December 2012, 17:14
It's not surprising that they've been forced to legislate. It's still not clear though (From what I've seen anyway) about how far the legislation will go i.e. what will qualify as a real and substantial risk of the life of the mother. Will it just be physical risk or will suicide count?

LuĂ­s Henrique
19th December 2012, 20:39
It's not surprising that they've been forced to legislate. It's still not clear though (From what I've seen anyway) about how far the legislation will go i.e. what will qualify as a real and substantial risk of the life of the mother. Will it just be physical risk or will suicide count?

The logical answer would be, it is up to the physician to determine whether there is such risk or not.

But of course this is not what will be legislated in Ireland as of now.

Luís Henrique

BOZG
19th December 2012, 20:43
The logical answer would be, it is up to the physician to determine whether there is such risk or not.

But of course this is not what will be legislated in Ireland as of now.

Luís Henrique

Actually the logical answer should be, none of your fucking business why!

It will be interesting to see where the campaign will go from here though. I got the impression that there's quite a strong involvement from Labour Party / Labour Youth members but I could be wrong. It will be interesting to see if they disappear when the legislation is passed.