“I am urging TDs to listen to the people – and reject the push to remove the three-day waiting period.
Aontú Senator Sarah O’Reilly says: “It is wrong to abolish this. It is not what people voted for.”
Peadar Tóibín is urging TDs to reject the push to remove the three-day waiting time before abortion.
The Aontú leader was speaking ahead of a free vote this evening (WEDS) on a Bill to abolish the 72-hour waiting period.
The proposal by the Social Democrats seeks to widen abortion law, in part by removing the three-day wait, following initial consultation.
Said Tóibín: “We are urging the political establishment to reject the Social Democrats proposal to remove the waiting period.”
“It would be a mistake to delete the reflection time for what may be the biggest decision of a woman’s life.
“It is an irreversible decision. It is compassionate to provide a period of time to allow women to reflect on whether to proceed to an abortion or not. In many other countries, this reflection time exists.
He said since abortion was legalised, over 10,000 women attended their first abortion consultation, and never returned.
“An abortion is a massive decision. The child cannot be brought back and it can lead to a lifetime of regret for mothers.
For any big decisions in our lives reflection is key. There are very few elective procedures that can be done in a day.
“We know that the three-day wait is working. There are thousands of children alive today as a result of it.”
“Eight years ago, we were told to accept the democratic will of the people. Now these parties seek to disregard the will of the people.”
Said Deputy Tóibín: “This bill looks to get rid of one of the last protections for right to life there is in Ireland. There is within the law a three-day reflection period.
“We know that it works. We know thousands of children are alive today as a result of that. It’s shocking we have the Social Democrats looking to get rid of a law that has saved so many lives.
“We are asking TDs today not to back this. There is significant support in the general public for you to keep this three-day wait. Stand up for the democratic will of the people.
Aontú Senator Sarah O’Reilly said: “This attempt to remove the three-day wait isn’t about supporting women. It’s about pushing abortion as the only option.
“Why? The HSE’s own figures showed that between 2019 and 2024; and 10,426 women did not attend their second. Yet no-one has followed up on these women.
She continued: “No one has asked why they changed their minds, or if the three-day wait period gave them that time and space to reflect during an incredibly difficult moment.
“Do these women’s voices not matter in this discussion, and if not, why not? It seems only right that women should have some time to reflect before making what is an irreversible decision.
“It is irresponsible to push for extreme abortion legislation without so much as hearing from both the women who regretted it; and the women who maybe changed their minds.
“It is wrong to remove the three-day wait. This is not what people voted for.”
Peadar Tóibín called on anyone who supports a No to removing the three-day safeguard, to join Aontú.
