Minister Simon Harris has described as ‘offensive’, [1] allegations that he made untruthful claims regarding the lack of prohibition on late-term abortions.
Speaking in the Seanad yesterday, Independent Senator Ronan Mullen said voters were repeatedly told there would be no late term abortions, and quoted Mr Harris stating in the Dáil that ‘it is important to be clear and truthful that in cases where there is foetal viability early deliver and the full range of neonatal care is the reality’.
However, Mr Mullen said, there was no provision in the legislation “requiring even a consideration of saving unborn life in an emergency situation”.
He added: “it is impossible to conclude Minister that you have been truthful now in the light of what the Bill now says”.
He also asked “what protects against abortion right up to birth on mental health grounds” and said it was “bizarre” that in situations where there is abortion on grounds of mental health that the medical practitioners does not have to be a psychiatrist.
The Minister told the Senator “we don’t need you to protect pregnancy because women do that, women are the greatest protectors of their pregnancies”. And he said it was “particularly offensive” of Mr Mullen to pick a section of the Bill linked to emergency situations when a woman was at risk of dying or of serious harm.
The Minister said the only place in the bill that allows abortion post-viability is the emergency provision. “Your efforts to say ’including mental health’ as though that’s some sort of made up thing over there is setting this country back 50 years.”