Suicidal intent should not be put forward as a reason to legalise abortion according to Martin Mansergh.
Speaking in the last week of the election campaign, the Fianna Fáil
candidate in Tipperary South said that to make suicidal intent, real or
alleged, the basis of any abortion law would be fundamentally flawed,
regardless of what Irish or European judges or courts say.
He said the
issue should be decided by Irish people, as it was in the 1983 pro-life
amendment, during which he was one of the Taoiseach’s advisers.
Dr Mansergh also stated that religion is a fundamental part of the
identity of many Irish people and that when there is a national crisis
people often affirm fundamental values and sense of identity.
He said
that only a minority are in favour of complete secularisation of Irish
society.
Declan Ganley said that mortgage debt and the abortion issue are the
“elephants in the room” in this election campaign, when speaking at the
endorsement of Mayo Independent candidate Martin Daly.
A Ballina
teacher, Martin Daly is in the New Vision grouping of Independent
candidates, and involved with the Mayo Pro-Life Group.
He worked with
Declan Ganley when he was leader of Libertas and candidate in the 2009
European election.
Meanwhile Professor Ray Kinsella stated in an article in the Irish Examiner that
the issue of long-term and youth unemployment is most pressing.
If the
new Government fails to prioritise it will act as a major drag, on any
prospective recovery and stabilisation of the public finances.
It will
further increase inequalities within society and inflict damage on the
dignity and value of people who are without work.
He stated that the economy is challenged by extensive ‘scarring’ — a
technical term applied to the multiple negative effects of an extended
period of unemployment.
Long-term unemployment scars careers and it
scars lives.
Research from other countries indicate that being unemployed for
twelve months or more is not the same thing as periods of a month or two
out of work.
A process of de-motivation and de-skilling occurs,
infecting every aspect of the individual’s life and health, their
capabilities and relationships.
It affects families and the well- being
of children and their capacity to strive to use their God-given
talents.
Around 47% of those signing on the Live Register are
classified as long-term unemployed.