Abortion Report Delayed as Fine Gael Accused of Spin

http://www.prolife.ie/prolife/abortion-report-delayed-fine-gael-accused-spin

Posted on 13/07/2012 to
Irish News - Abortion | Politics |

It seems increasingly likely that the government’s expert group on abortion will not present its report until September. Reports to that effect in the Sunday Business Post were confirmed by government sources. The group was originally told to report by July. Meanwhile, the Pro Life Campaign (PLC) has accused Fine Gael of “spin” in an attempt to deflect attention away from comments by Health Minister Dr James Reilly that he “must” introduce abortion in Ireland. As reported in last week’s LifeZine, the Fine Gael press office described a report in The Irish Catholic on the issue as “fundamentally flawed and substantially incorrect”.

However, the PLC insisted there “was nothing flawed or incorrect in the report. Minister Reilly’s statement that abortion “must” be introduced in Ireland was as clear as day.” Dr Ruth Cullen of the PLC said that Dr Reilly’s comments remain “an extremely worrying development that throws into doubt whether Fine Gael will stand over, or betray, its solemn written commitment to the electorate not to bring in abortion.”

“Senior members of Fine Gael need to take responsibility for a process that is fast derailing into public farce with a Fine Gael minister now publicly touting as official policy that Ireland ‘must’ bring in abortion. Fine Gael needs to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation not try to spin its way out of the controversy. As things stand, Minister Reilly has primed the Expert Group (on abortion) to report back with a narrow list of options, all leading to abortion.”

“This is an outrage given Ireland’s outstanding record in caring for mothers and babies in pregnancy without recourse to abortion”, Dr Cullen said.
The Irish Catholic. July 12. Sunday Business Post. July 8.