THE
European Court’s decision on the right of women to access abortion
"does not oblige Ireland to introduce legislation authorising abortion,"
according to Cardinal Seán Brady.
Reacting to the judgment, Cardinal Brady said the
decision raised profound moral and legal issues that will require
careful analysis and reflection.
"Today’s judgment leaves
future policy in Ireland on protecting the lives of unborn children in
the hands of the Irish people and does not oblige Ireland to introduce
legislation authorising abortion. The Irish Constitution clearly says
that the right to life of the unborn child is equal to that of his or
her mother. These are the fundamental human rights at stake," he said.
Pro-life campaigners attacked the European Court’s decision on the
right of women to access abortion and warned any move to legalise it
here would be vigorously fought.
Youth Defence said the ruling was an intrusive "attempt to violate Ireland’s pro-life laws".
Other anti-abortion groups also claimed the court decision about woman
C, who feared her pregnancy would cause a relapse of her cancer, did
not need to be upheld by the Government.
Youth Defence claimed
the European Court of Human Rights in previous judgments had supported
abortion and that the ruling was an attempt to overturn Ireland’s ban
on abortion.
Niamh Uí Bhríain of the Life Institute said Irish
people would make the final decision on the issue and not Europe:
"That’s a right the Irish people feel very strongly about — and that’s
why our politicians haven’t moved to legalise abortion here — because
there would be uproar."
Youth Defence said the Irish people
had rejected abortion in three separate referenda. The group’s Rebecca
Roughneen added: "This is one country which has not fallen to the
abortion industry, and we’re working to keep it that way."
Legal advisor to the pro-life campaign, William Binchy, also claimed the
judgment did not require Ireland to introduce legislation authorising
abortion. A calm, respectful national discussion was now needed on the
issue, added Mr Binchy.
In regard to the court case, he
questioned why there was now a blur between necessary medical treatments
for women and abortion.
Senator Ronan Mullen also claimed
legislation did not need to follow the European ruling but rather
another referendum should be put to the people.
"The Government must
turn again to the democratic option of a referendum, to allow the Irish
people an opportunity to reaffirm our constitutional protection of all
human beings, including the unborn, while guaranteeing best medical care
for women in pregnancy."
SIC: IE/IE