Press Statement
for publication 18/12/2012
Provision for terminations in Ireland
The
announcement by the Irish Government today that it is to introduce legislation
and regulations to allow a woman to choose a termination where her life is
threatened was welcomed by some Irish political parties as a “victory for
women”. However the Communist Party of Ireland believes this is the very least
that can be offered to women in any civilised society. In a statement today,
Lynda Walker, chairwoman of the Communist party of Ireland said that this was
one small step on the road to providing women with the reproductive health care
services that they require. The provision of legislation and regulation in
response to the X Case is to be welcomed, but the enactment of the legislation
remains to be seen.
The Communist Party of Ireland said that the Expert Report gives a
number of options and advice to the Irish Government regarding the question of
termination of pregnancy for women in Ireland. The CPI agrees that this is a
complex issue and one that needs to be clarified in the interest of women’s
lives and also in the interest of the medical and legal profession. The CPI also believes that the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861
should be repealed and replaced.
The introduction of a strategy to
address crisis and unwanted pregnancies should include enhanced provision of
education, advice and contraceptive services, and other such counselling and
medical services.
Furthermore the CPI believes that there should be a
public investigation into the numbers of deaths and complications that have
occurred in the Republic of Ireland over the past 30 years due to circumstances
relating to the law regarding terminations.
The Communist
Party of Ireland reiterates its commitment to support a “Woman’s Right to
Choose” but initially we support the immediate introduction of guidelines and
changes in the law that will prevent further deaths like that of Savita
Halappanavar.
For that reason we
also call for guidelines to be issued in the North. Whilst welcoming the
opening of the Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast, we also call for provision of
this service to be extended to the National Health Service.
ENDS
For further details contact: Lynda Walker 07751951785 or Eugene McCartan
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