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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has denied assertions that abortion could be decriminalized in Ireland without the referendum being passed on Friday.<\/p>\nTaoiseach Leo Varadkar has denied assertions that abortion could be decriminalized in Ireland without the referendum being passed on Friday.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said it is not possible to reduce the threat that women face of up to 14 years in jail unless people chose to repeal the 8th amendment in the Constitution.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach made the comments after opposition TD Eamon O Cuiv said the laws could be changed to decriminalize women, even if citizens voted against changing the constitution.<\/p>\n
Voters will head to the polling booths on Friday to decide whether they want to remove the Eighth Amendment, which gives equal right to life to the unborn and to the woman, and allow parliament to liberalize the laws to permit terminations up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.<\/p>\n
Under the current laws, women who procure an abortion can face up to 14 years in prison but can travel abroad for one without sanction.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar rejected Mr O Cuiv\u2019s claims in the D\u00e1il today saying parliament had already tried to decriminalize abortion but it was refused on constitutional grounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Eighth Amendment is too hard and forces a very hard law on Irish people and Irish women,\u201d Mr Varadkar said.<\/p>\n
He said the amendment means the right to life of the unborn, of a foetus of a few days gestation, is equal to the life of the woman.<\/p>\n
\u201cEqual to the right to life of your mother, your sister, or your female friends and coworkers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach added: \u201cThe state must vindicate that right \u2013 that is why such harsh and tough penalties are applied.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr O Cuiv, who is advocating for a No vote on Friday, told RT\u00c9 News on Monday that changes could be made to remove the offence.<\/p>\n
The Fianna F\u00e1il TD said he was not in favor of prosecution of women who terminate their pregnancies.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can change the statute book in any way,\u201d he said, adding that nobody has ever been prosecuted.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald, who is calling for a yes vote, said the amendment blocks any action by parliament to legislate for the so-called hard cases such as rape, incest and fatal foetal abnormalities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve tried,\u201d she said. \u201cThe only way we can help women in these circumstances is to return a yes vote on Friday,\u201d Ms McDonald said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo suggest otherwise is entirely disingenuous.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added that these were not exceptional cases, they are real women facing devastating scenarios and circumstances every day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Eighth Amendment represents a real and ongoing threat to the lives of Irish women,\u201d the Sinn F\u00e9in leader said.<\/p>\n