Pringle: Government must follow through on wide-ranging Repeal Review
- Updated: 15th December 2021
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, said the Government must follow through on the Repeal Review, calling it extremely important.
Deputy Pringle said: “Abortion legislation was passed three years ago, and we were told that issues with this legislation would be addressed by the Repeal Review, yet now Minister Donnelly has stated that the review would look at its operation, but was not intended to examine policy on terminations. This review is extremely important and we must use it as an opportunity to address problems with this legislation.”
The deputy said the review needs to be wide-ranging, and must ensure that people do not have to travel to secure their rights.
Deputy Pringle said: “The abortion rights campaign has stated that their participants found the mandatory three-day waiting period ‘demeaning’ and inducing ‘undue stress and anxiety’. The three-day waiting period must be removed. It places extra barriers in the way of women and the delay is medically unnecessary,” he said.
The deputy said: “I would also call for the review to ensure free, universal abortion care for everyone in Ireland, including those without a PPS number and those in Northern Ireland.”
He commended the MLAs in the North who rejected the DUP bill to stop terminations for non-fatal disabilities yesterday.
Deputy Pringle said: “Such a bill would be a massive step backwards for this island and I want to take this opportunity to urge the Irish electorate to support those fighting for abortion rights in the North. We must make sure that abortion is free, safe and legal across the island of Ireland and that nobody is left behind on this.”
The deputy was addressing the Dáil today to speak against the Rural Independent Group bill, Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Foetal Pain Relief) Bill 2021, calling it “disingenuous”.
Deputy Pringle said: “Let’s call this what it is. This is nothing but an attempt to rally anger and cause outrage. I am not naive enough to think that the Rural Group don’t know what they are doing by introducing this. This bill has nothing to do with good medical practice. This is a blatant attempt to create confusion and upset and nothing more.”
He said: “This group is against all abortion at any stage, by any means, and I refuse to indulge in this hidden agenda to obsess over what women do with their bodies.”
Deputy Pringle said: “66.4% of this country’s electorate voted to repeal the 8th in 2018, yet this group are still forcing conversations about abortion care. It is very clear what our citizens want, and we would do well to respect this vote, rather than trying to undermine it at every given opportunity.”
