"How Can TDs Oppose a Law Seeking Pain Relief For a Child in a Late Term Abortion" – Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD, along with nine other TDs has consigned a bill which would ensure that unborn babies would be granted pain relief prior to late term abortion.
Speaking today, Deputy Tóibín said:
"In 2018 I voted against the abortion bill in the Dáil, along with fifteen other Human Rights TDs. We introduced a number of amendments to the Bill at that time seeking to, among other things, ban sex-selective abortions, abortions on the grounds of disability, and to ensure the unborn would be given pain relief in the case of a late term abortions. Incredibly the government and much of the opposition opposed these amendments - including the one on pain relief. Because of my Human Rights stance I was suspended from Sinn Féin and ultimately forced out of that party”.
“This was a matter of conscience and compassion for me - I have always believed, throughout my political activism, that everyone has value and everyone should be protected. I have always believed that we must as a society cherish all the children equally. I have always had a particular concern for the most vulnerable in our society - people who are homeless, people with disabilities, refugees, people in nursing homes, members of the Travelling community and unborn children. The inherent value of all human life is a core belief of mine and something I couldn't compromise on in 2018".
Deputy Tóibín continued: "As an elected TD and a legislator whenever I vote in the Dáil I examine what's before me and vote in a manner which seeks to make Ireland a better, more humane and compassionate place. I am privileged to have voted for many Bills throughout my career which have saved lives - laws around road safety, alcohol, cigarettes, health, medical cards, etc. In 2018 I was being asked to vote on a Bill which would end lives - and I couldn't support it. In the first year after its enactment over six thousand Irish lives were ended under the Act. Since the law has enacted media and political focus on the issues as been switched off life a tap. Even the case of the alleged illegal abortion in the National Maternity Hospital has met with silence in the Dáil".
"Shockingly Aontú is now the only party in the Dáil that seeks to protect the life of everyone in society. What Aontú and some other mainly Independent politicians are doing today is introducing a Bill to ensure that unborn children be granted pain relief prior to late term abortion. It is a very reasonable proposal seeking to inject some sort of mercy into a inhumane law. I have pro-choice friends who have said they agree with our Bill on pain relief, and I know from canvassing and campaigning that there are many people around the country who are deeply shocked to learn that in 2018 the government voted against an amendment which sought pain relief for the unborn. Currently for Surgical Procedures on an unborn child, pain relief is used. Even when operating on an animal in this country, the law states that pain relief must be used. Yet the law is silent in the case of an unborn child”.
“I look forward to engaging and respectful discourse within the Dáil chamber as this Bill progresses and I would urge everyone to contact their local TDs and ask them to support this Bill", concluded Deputy Tóibín.
