Posted on 02/13/2002 10:42:33 AM PST by Jeremy_Bentham
Yet another plebiscite on abortion looms in Ireland
FEW issues have so dominated public debate in Ireland, or proved so divisive, as abortion. The weary Irish electorate has endured four plebiscites on the subject in 20 years. In the next few weeks they will face a fifth, intended to tighten already restrictive abortion laws even further.
Last year an estimated 7,000 Irish women travelled abroad, mainly to England, to end unwanted pregnancies. At home, abortion is illegal on all except the narrowest of grounds: where the life of a pregnant mother is threatened because she is suicidal. The entitlement has hardly ever been invoked—only once since 1992, when the Irish courts first established it, in the case of a teenage rape victim. The constitutional referendum is on whether to remove even this limited right.
The campaign is led by Bertie Ahern, the prime minister. A conservative on social issues himself, his coalition government has relied for its parliamentary majority on four independents. Part of the price for their support has been a further referendum on abortion, which Mr Ahern regards as “unfinished business”.
The referendum, if passed, would repeal the 1992 Supreme Court ruling. But, to the dismay of some anti-abortion campaigners, that change would give a higher priority to the mother's life if she is in danger (other than from a suicide threat) than to a fetus's right to life.
Since his election as prime minister in 1997, Mr Ahern has tried to build a consensus for change in this area. But with a general election expected in May, unity is slowly fracturing. His coalition partners remain lukewarm about the proposals, the opposition parties reject them, and divisions have emerged within the anti-abortion movement. This recalls 1992, when a broadly similar anti-abortion measure also created political rifts. Then, an alliance of conservatives and liberals—for different reasons—opposed change and defeated the constitutional amendment by a two-to-one margin.
For Mr Ahern, the referendum is a big gamble. A win would check what he sees as a steady slide towards freely available “social abortion” in Ireland. A defeat, however, would only serve to speed that process up. Moreover, a second referendum loss, following the public's rejection of the EU's Nice treaty last year, would be a very bad start to the unofficial election campaign already under way.
Are there any Irish Freepers out there who can shed some light on this? Will the plebiscite win? Is it a good idea?
15-year-olds in pro-choice poll
Three in four voters want referendum on abortion
From the later article, there is this tidbit: Almost three out of five -- 58 per cent -- said they would support a referendum outlawing abortion but allowing medical intervention to save a mother's life. One in six -- 16 per cent -- said they would not support such a referendum, while 26 per cent didn't know or had no opinion.
It should also be noted that support for outlawing abortion has risen.
Also for anyone interested. Information about the Progressive Democrat Party, which is the party currently in power, can be found here: ProgressiveDemocrats.ie
bump
It is further confused in the fact that the socialist (and as one was called in the Dáil -that's Gaelic for parliament-today `pro abortionist' from the governmental benches) are urging a 'No' vote. But so are the extremist Pro-lifers.
The Catholic bishops, however are supporting the Government.
Bertie Ahern, should not, however be cast as a completely moral individual interested in legislating on copperfastening an abortion free state. He is facing into a general election, and top of his manifesto going into the last election was sorting out the quagmire of legislation that is the 'abortion debate' in Ireland. He has called another 'grey' and confusing abortion referendum weeks before this country faces into a general election to prove he has 'delivered' on all of his promises. To make it easier on the doorsteps, and (I would imagine) muddy some of the corruption issues currently swamping the media in Ireland in respect of members of his party...one of whom he, himself actually called to resign this week (as that TD (Liam Lawlor) faced into a months jail term for failing to comply with a corruption Tribunal).
Who ever said Irish politics weren't interesting? :-)
Personally, I'll be voting yes to the referendum. But I imagine the turn out for the March 6 poll will be very low, because people do not understand the issue at hand.
Suffice it to say it was 'interesting', and one of mixed emotions for me. Adams himself is very charismatic...but something jarred with me about today, and I'm still not sure what exactly it was.
Don't worry, when I'm less tired I'll post my findings *S*
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Your wording for people on the other side of the world is a fraction misleading. Certainly the Progressive Democrats are in power. Their leader Mary Harney is the Tánaiste (vice president). But they are minor players (in terms of the seats they hold) in Government. Of course without them Fianna Fail would have had a hung Dáil (Dáil is parliament for those that don't know) last time out. And for that reason are power brokers. But it is misleading that their vote catchment in Ireland makes them a 'party of populice choice'.
I personally don't have a problem with the PD's. I was just pointing out that for those reading your post (not familiar with Irish politics) may read it differently.
What's really interesting is that even the most pro-abortion people (Liz McManus) are getting very touchy about being called 'pro-abortion' and demanding retractions from other politicans who accuse them of that. They want their cake and eat it, with judges and not the electorate pushing through their agenda in the future. I'll be voting yes, thank you very much.
The woman is a phony.
Looking forward to hearing about your meeting with Gerry Adams!!
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