Proposed abortion exclusion zone legislation aimed at silencing pro-life witness is a “draconian” restriction on free expression and freedom of belief, Bishop Kevin Doran has said.

The ‘Safe Access Zones Bill’, currently before the Dáil, proposes 100-metre exclusion zones outside GP clinics and hospitals in which pro-life prayer and witness would be banned.

While the legislation exempts statements made within church buildings, it includes church grounds that fall within the 100-metre exclusion zone.

As the bill includes all GP’s clinics, not just those performing abortions, churches and cathedrals around the country could face penalties if they display pro-life related material on church grounds.

Bishop Doran, chair of the bishops’ council for life, called the bill “draconian” and “fundamentally unjust”, saying the constitution provides people the right to profess their faith publicly “not just in church buildings”.

Exclusion zones legislation a ‘draconian’ restriction on free expression – Bishop Doran