Ireland is on brink of abortion

Thousands are expected in Dublin tomorrow for the vigil at 4.30pm.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/ireland-is-on-brink-of-abortion-vigil-for-life-crucial-organizers-say

DUBLIN, January 17, 2013, (LifeSiteNews.com) -- The Life Institute has said that a Vigil for Life to take place in Dublin this Saturday is crucial to opposing government plans to legalise abortion on suicide grounds.

The Health Minister, James Reilly, has said that the heads of a Bill legalising abortion would be ready by the end of January, but this has provoked unprecedented public concern according to the Life Institute. 

Spokeswoman for the Institute, Niamh Uí Bhriain, said that volunteers had worked right through Christmas to deal with the flood of enquiries from around the country about the pro-life event.

"People are shocked that Enda Kenny and James Reilly seem determined to push through abortion legislation as quickly as possible, despite the clear evidence that abortion is not a treatment for suicide," she said.

"There is huge unease around the country as to what is being planned, especially given that Fine Gael made a pro-life promise on this issue in Election 2011," she added.

She also pointed out that at recent Parliamentary hearings every medical expert agreed that abortion was never a treatment for suicide.

"People who have never taken part in a pro-life event before are ringing us to say they will be there, and that they feel Fine Gael has let them down on an issue of enormous importance," said the pro-life spokeswoman.

Ms Ui Bhriain said that the Vigil would be a significant event in terms of expressing public opposition to abortion.

She said that thousands of people throughout Ireland were mobilising to bring friends and family to the Vigil for Life, which she said would build on the large crowd on the previous Vigil on December 4th.

The Vigil is being organised by a coalition of pro-life groups including Life Institute, Pro-Life, Campaign, Precious Life, Youth Defence and Family & Life.

Read More

Vigil for Life in Dublin

Our final reminder regarding the vigil in Dublin on Saturday at 4.30pm. It is taking place on Merrion Square. There are busses going from all over the country so check in locally to see times and locations.

Read More

McGrath Questions “Indecent Haste” On Abortion Hearings

It’s ironic that it is the committee on health and children who will meet to discuss legislating for abortion. On the 19th January, a Unite for Life vigil is taking place in Dublin. The vast majority of Irish people oppose abortion.

http://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/local/mcgrath-questions-indecent-haste-on-abortion-hearings-1-4640773#.UObaDdSG3OI.twitter

Published on Thursday 3 January 2013 14:44

Independent TD Mattie McGrath who is a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children has expressed his concern at the “Indecent haste” at which the Health Committee appears to be dealing with the hearings into the Government’s decision to legislate for abortion.

The Committee is to hold three days of hearings on 8, 9 and 10 January 2013 following the decision by Government to proceed to address the issues raised in the ABC judgement with legislation and regulations, within the parameters of Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court and the purpose of the meetings is to gather information which will be of assistance to Government in the drafting of the Heads of Bill following its decision. However Deputy McGrath has expressed his concern at the indecent haste and lack of information about the process.

“The Committee is to hear contributions from experienced medical practitioners, legal experts, representatives of churches and religious groups and from advocacy groups; however, just days before the hearings are to begin I am still waiting for information on who will address the Committee” Said Deputy McGrath.

“I have requested this information and have been informed that it may be made available on Friday before we meet on Monday and the Christmas break has been cited as a reason for this lack of information. My question is why the indecent haste? We knew that there was a break when the Hearing dates were set and I just do not think that it is reasonable that we still do not know who will address the Committee days before the hearings begin.”

Deputy McGrath has also expressed concern that the Committee are being pressured into dealing with this issue at an inappropriate pace and has said that the autonomy of the Committee must be protected.

“This is a very serious matter and we need time to get this right and we need to ensure that there is balance. I submitted a list of groups/ representatives that I would like to address the Committee to ensure that there is balance and I still do not know whether these people have been invited to the hearings. We are being led by the nose and we have no proper information. Acting at such haste will have dire consequences and it is wholly inappropriate,” said Mr. McGrath.

Read More