Galway Pro-Choice Condemns Fianna Fáil’s Anti-Women Motions

national | gender and sexuality | press release Saturday April 27, 2013 20:14 by Turing

Galway Pro-Choice condemns the passing of three motions at today's Fianna Fail Ard Fheis which oppose suicide being included as a ground for abortion under proposed X Case legislation. In particular, we condemn the decision of the Galway East Comhairle Dáil Ceantair of Fianna Fáil to propose one of these motions which would continue to place women’s lives in danger.

Orlaith Reidy of Galway Pro Choice said:

“The motions presented to the Ard Fheis reveal a fundamental disregard for women's health. As Dr. Peadar O'Grady of Doctors for Choice has outlined, denying women the right to choose is a key cause of suicidality among pregnant women, and maternal deaths have markedly declined in countries where abortion is available.”

.Ciara Dalstra of Galway Pro-Choice stated:

“Fianna Fáil’s failure to commit itself to legislate for the X-Case without reservation, expose its attempts to portray itself as having atoned for its mistakes in government as a farce. Anyone who cares about the safety and rights of women should be unable to support the party.”

The passing of all three motions against legislation for the X Case indicates a complete disregard for women’s lives. It harks back to an Ireland of symphysiotomies and the Magdalene Laundries, where women are regarded with suspicion and the physical and mental well-being of women are blatantly disrespected and disregarded. Evidently, Fianna Fáil does not stand for an Ireland where women are trusted and respected, and procedures to protect women’s health are unambiguously legislated for.

The passing of these motions puts the party at odds with our own Supreme Court, two referenda of the people, the European Court of Human Rights, and the Government’s Expert Group on X Case legislation. All of these groups have obliged the Irish state to pass just such legislation as Fianna Fáil rejected today. This comes as no surprise; for the 14 years that it was in power recently Fianna Fail failed in its obligation to introduce X-Case legislation. The party’s current leader, Micheál Martin, was central to that legislative cowardice, having been Health Minister from 2000 to 2004.

Galway Pro-Choice is deeply disappointed, shocked and offended that two of these motions were proposed by Galway branches.

For further information and comment please contact Galway Pro-Choice at:
Tel.: 087 706 0715 Email: prochoicegalway@gmail.com