The ‘Independent Chair’ of the Three Year Review of the abortion law only had to be “independent of Government, not independent of the issue”, according to Fianna Fail Senator, Lorraine Clifford Lee.

She made her comments in the Seanad yesterday in reply to Senator Rónán Mullen who was challenging the Minister for Health’s decision to abandon the tendering process that was promised in finding an independent  chairperson for the review. In the end, Minister Donnelly bypassed the process and appointed barrister Marie O’Shea as Chair. Since her appointment a fortnight ago, he has repeatedly refused to answer specific questions regarding the appointment, including the fact that Ms O’Shea is known to have engaged in social media activity that appeared to showed a preference for repeal of the 8th Amendment and the legalisation of abortion in Ireland.

A spokesperson for the pro-Life Campaign called the intervention “remarkable and telling”.

“Senator Clifford Lee’s remarks yesterday that the Chair of the review only had to be ‘independent of Government, not independent of the issue’ reveals the crude and blinkered thinking at the heart of the process and the total disregard for objectivity and fairness”.

“Based on all that has happened to date, the credibility of the Three Year Review is quickly evaporating. Stephen Donnelly can keep issuing statements all he likes about his commitment to ensuring an impartial process but unless immediate and verifiable steps are taken to guarantee a truly independent review, the standing of the entire process will soon be shattered beyond repair”.