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T\u00e1naiste Simon Coveney has given his support to proposals allowing abortion up to 12 weeks.<\/p>\nT\u00e1naiste Simon Coveney has given his support to proposals allowing abortion up to 12 weeks.<\/p>\n
Simon Coveney had been opposed to the idea and was seen as the main pro-life voice at the Cabinet table. His shift in position could have a major impact on the abortion referendum campaign.<\/p>\n
Minister Coveney had previously expressed his discomfort with the Government proposals for abortion without restriction for up to 12 weeks, and was expected to campaign against them.<\/p>\n
However, writing exclusively in the Irish Independent this morning, the Foreign Affairs Minister said that he has now changed his mind.<\/p>\n
Minister Coveney says he still has concerns that people who are raising legitimate questions about the unborn are being dismissed as dinosaurs or anti-women.<\/p>\n
The Health Minister and senior clinicians have reassured the T\u00e1naiste on a number of issues he felt strongly about.<\/p>\n
Simon Coveney says he also feels satisfied that the 12 weeks limit would not allow for the testing for disabilities.<\/p>\n
In his piece this morning, the T\u00e1naiste says he supports allowing abortion pills up to 12 weeks gestation, or 10 weeks of pregnancy.<\/p>\n
“In recent weeks the Health Minister and senior clinicians have worked with me on the safeguards and structures to the proposed law that I hope will enable those unsure to vote \u2018Yes\u2019,” he wrote.<\/p>\n
“The legislation Minister Harris will bring to Cabinet tomorrow will not give unrestricted access to abortion at any point in pregnancy.”<\/p>\n
He concludes: “Life and the creation of life is a precious thing. So balancing Ireland\u2019s responsibilities to women and children is complex.<\/p>\n
“However, I believe if people vote \u2018Yes\u2019 in this Referendum and allow the Government to legislate we will get that balance right and protect women in the appropriate way.”<\/p>\n
It is expected that there will be attempts to change the legislation from 12 weeks to 10 weeks if the 8th amendment is repealed and it comes before the Oireachtas.<\/p>\n
The Minister also said that the reality of abortion pills needs to be addressed – however pro-life campaigner Katie Ascough says that this issue has been exaggerated in the abortion debate.<\/p>\n
“Illegal abortion pills are a phenomenon that happens in almost every country, not just in Ireland, it happens in the UK,” she said.<\/p>\n
She added: So it’s not just specific to Ireland, so it’s not the case so we say: ‘OK, pills are happening here anyway, let’s just legalise abortion’ – it’s actually an issue which happens in other countries as well.”<\/p>\n