The Iona Blog

A profile of practising Christians in Northern Ireland

By Dr Angelo Bottone

Northern Ireland remains the most religious part of Britain or Ireland, according to new research published last month. The percentage of people who attend church every week in Northern Ireland – Protestant or Catholic – is greater than the number who attend Irish League football match over an entire year. The report from Evangelical Alliance...

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The referendum results: the best possible Mother’s Day present

THE results of the two referendums are the best possible present ahead of Mother’s Day tomorrow. The Government asked voters to remove the word ‘mother’ from the Constitution and they answered with a resounding No. They also rejected by a huge margin the attempt to foist the extremely nebulous term “durable relationships” on the Constitution....

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What Irish euthanasia advocates really want

An Oireachtas committee has recommended euthanasia for those judged to be within six to 12 months of death. If we go down this path, we can fully expect there to be pressure to allow it on far more expansive grounds. We know this because pro-euthanasia advocates who appeared before the committee were quite clear on...

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David Quinn on the two upcoming referendums

David Quinn was on the Hard Shoulder explaining why he is voting No in the two referendums on March 8. He said the family referendums seeks to insert the very ambiguous term “durable relationships” into the Constitution, while the one on carers seek to delete the current reference to the home, to mothers and the...

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Vast majority of mothers want to be at home not work says new poll

More than two-thirds of mothers (69pc) with children under the age of 18 would prefer to stay at home with their children rather than go out to work if they could afford it, according to a new Amarach Research opinion poll commissioned by The Iona Institute. In addition, 76pc of mothers said that women who...

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Oireachtas Committee hears why Denmark has rejected euthanasia

By Dr Angelo Bottone

The Danish parliament has a Council of Ethics that sometimes reports to it on ethical issues. Recently it reported on euthanasia. Surprisingly perhaps – given Denmark’s reputation as a hyper-modern society – the Council recently voted overwhelmingly against recommending euthanasia or assisted suicide in any way, shape or form. Members of the Council of Ethics...

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A new report exposes the dubious claims made about daycare

If all mothers are out working, which is what the Government seems to want, and most young children are in daycare, shouldn’t we closely examine the benefits of this aim from the point of view of mothers, children and society? The question is particularly relevant in light of the carers’ referendum on March 8th. Many...

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The Medical Council’s poor defence of its decision to remove ban on doctors killing patients

By Dr Angelo Bottone

Dr Suzanne Crowe, President of the Irish Medical Council (IMC), appeared before the Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying on Tuesday and defended their extremely controversial decision to remove the prohibition on doctors deliberately ending a patient’s life from the Council’s ethical code. She denied the charge that the move helps pave the way for euthanasia...

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Even the Supreme Court is doubtful about meaning of ‘durable relationships’

By Gerard Casey

The Supreme Court has handed down its judgement in the case of John O’Meara & Ors. (Applicants/Appellants) v The Minister for Social Protection, Ireland and the Attorney General. For the purpose of this blog, I shall confine myself to just one point, but a very important one, which has to do with the meaning of...

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Disability rights groups concerned euthanasia will eventually target their members

By Dr Angelo Bottone

The Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying continues to hold hearings. On Tuesday it heard from representatives of disability groups. Peter Kearns (pictured), the representative from the Independent Living Movement observed that debates about euthanasia and assisted suicide can easily “trigger commentary with eugenic overtones”. He said that lack of necessary resources and of societal acceptance will...

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