Support for women in crisis pregnancies
Senator Healy Eames questions the emphasis on abortion and calls for discussion of sex education, adoption and non-directive counselling; the Chair directs the matter to the Health Minister.
I welcome that if he has, but we do not have that information. The reputation of this House is being affected by that type of behaviour. To be fair to Senator Landy, he has gone a long way towards explaining it. He needs to go another little way and give us the truth on this.
I noticed an article in The Irish Times today which stated that women in Ireland face extra burdens going to the UK for abortions. That is true, because we are not addressing the real problems and pressures here. We are not finding out what would have helped them not to have made that decision. What shocked me is that at the bottom of the article, they presume that the only way forward for women in difficulty is abortion, and they provide a website, abortionsupport.org.uk.
Comment on this
Yes. Why is it that the only type of support which some in this House feel is needed for women in difficulty is abortion? What we are not having positive discussions about-----
Comment on this
Why are we not having positive discussions about sex education, adoption and non-directive counselling, which we know is not happening in the Irish Family Planning Association?
Comment on this
That is a very serious allegation. The Minister for Health promised an inquiry on this, and it has still not been delivered.
Comment on this
I am grateful for your time, but I am looking for a response.