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Saturday, July 28, 2012

Appointment of abortion campaigner as Director General of HSE sends wrong message


Today Tony O'Brien was appointed the new Director General of the HSE by The Minister for Health James Reilly.  Mr O'Brien was previously the Chief Executive of the Irish Family Planning Association and a leading campaigner for abortion in Ireland.





Commenting on the Minister for Health’s latest appointment Cora Sherlock, Deputy Chairperson of the Pro Life Campaign, said:


“Ever since the Clare Daly Bill on abortion, Minister Reilly has been effectively relying on the speaking notes of the pro-abortion movement rather than defending Fine Gael’s pre-election pro-life commitments.


Now he has appointed someone as Director General of the HSE who has spent most of his career campaigning for abortion on demand in Ireland. The political message sent by this appointment is unmistakable. Whether it’s the issue or the optics, clearly Minister Reilly doesn’t get it.


Of more concern, however, to pro-life supporters is the manner in which the Expert Group process initiated by the Minister is descending into farce.


Both Minister Reilly and Minister of State Kathleen Lynch have already made public statements pre-empting its findings and it will come as no surprise if it reports back with a narrow list of options all advocating abortion. If this happens, it will have nothing to do with women’s health or the right to life and everything to do with politics.”

Monday, July 23, 2012

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin supports pro-life position, opposes X legislation


In an article in today's Irish Examiner, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin says that legislation to allow abortion along the lines of the X case would effectively lead to abortion on demand.

His comments come after 15 Fine Gael TDs told Health Minister Dr. James Reilly that they opposed any moves to legalise abortion. 



In a statement this afternoon, the Pro Life Campaign's spokeperson, Dr. Ruth Cullen, said that Martin's comments were "timely and welcome" and "acknowledged the reality of what an Irish abortion regime would look like after legislation".


Fianna Fáil party leader Micheál Martin


Dr Cullen said: "The past week has been heartening for those who still believe that when political parties make promises, they should stick by them."

"Last week we saw a significant number of Fine Gael TDs and Senators remind their party leadership of their election pledge to stand up for unborn human life. Today we saw Micheál Martin reaffirm his party's commitment to the same principle: that human life must be protected at all stages. Both developments were timely and welcome."

"At a time when Labour politicians are trying to bully the Government into believing the myth that the European court judgement in the  A,B and C v Ireland case obliges Ireland to legalise abortion, we welcome the clarity which both Mr Martin's comments, and the stance taken by backbench Fine Gael TDs, have brought to the debate."

"Mr Martin's statement, that legislation to provide for abortion along the lines of the X case would create "an open-door situation" which would be "very difficult to hold back" acknowledged the reality of what an Irish abortion regime would look like after legislation."

Dr Cullen also welcomed Mr Martin's acknowledgement that current Irish medical practice was about protecting both mother and child.

Mr. Martin said "I think we should do everything we possibly can to preserve the life of the unborn and preserve the life of the mother. And I think we do that in Ireland, actually. "


Dr. Cullen welcomed this, saying "pro-abortion advocates and politicians have repeatedly attempted to obscure the fact that Ireland boasts world class medical care for pregnant women. In this context, Mr Martin's recognition that Irish doctors do everything they can "to preserve the life of the unborn and preserve the life of the mother" is very welcome."

"Ireland has consistently shown itself to be the safest place in the world to give birth in, and international statistics confirm this." 


Pro Life Campaign challenges Deputy Lynch over remarks on abortion legislation


The Pro Life Campaign has challenged the Minister of State at the Department for Health Kathleen Lynch over her remarks yesterday on RTÉ’s This Week programme where she stated that she did not think the Government "had a choice" but to legislate for abortion if the Expert Group, having looked at the issue, recommends abortion legislation.

Junior Minister Kathleen Lynch, Labour


 Commenting on Minister Lynch’s remarks, Dr. Ruth Cullen of the Pro Life Campaign said:
"The Expert Group is tasked with producing a wide range of options for consideration by the Government and is not meant to recommend one particular course of action.   If the Expert Group reports with a narrow list of options, all leading to abortion, it will be not be based on medicine or law but politics.
 The European court judgment in A, B and C v Ireland did not compel Ireland to introduce abortion.  It sought clarity in the law in this area which is an entirely different matter.  Those seeking to introduce abortion in Ireland are intentionally distorting this fact while ignoring another important fact, namely, that Ireland, without abortion, is the safest place in the world for pregnant women." 

Dr. Cullen's comments were carried in today's Irish Examier, Irish Times and on TheJournal.ie.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Fine Gael parliamentary party "overwhelmingly opposed to liberalisation of the abortion laws"


Today's Irish Times carries a report from Harry McGee on last night's Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting, where at least 15 TDs voiced their opposition to abortion legislation. 

This is a welcome development for pro-life voters around the country who voted for Fine Gael in General Election 2011 because of their commitment not to legislate for abortion or experimentation on human embryos. 





The discussion on abortion came at the end of a presentation by Minister for Health, Dr. James Reilly, on the HSE, when Waterford TD John Deasy raised the matter. 

The article says that "Concerns had been raised within Fine Gael in recent weeks that the Cabinet would make a decision on the report of the expert group, chaired by High Court judge Seán Ryan, and present it to Fine Gael as a 'done deal'." 

In the discussion at the parliamentary party meeting, 15 TDs said that they would oppose legislation that would introduce abortion, insisting that the findings of the expert group be discussed with them before being brought to the Cabinet. Two TDs even indicated that they were willing to break whip on the issue. 

One of the TDs described the Fine Gael parliamentary party as "overwhelmingly opposed to liberalisation of the abortion laws"

The discussion resulted in Dr. Reilly giving a guarantee that he would consult the parliamentary party before bringing the findings of the expert group to the Cabinet. 


Read Harry McGee's report in full here


Monday, July 16, 2012

Pro Life Campaign launch billboards highlighting latest opinion poll findings


This week we've launched a billboard campaign highlighting the findings of our most recent opinion poll, conducted by Millward Brown Landsdowne in May 2012. 
This polling research shows strong public backing for the pro-life commitments made by Fine Gael prior to the general election in 2011. The research also reveals significant public support for current medical practice in Ireland where there is a duty of care towards the baby when intervening in pregnancy to save the mother’s life.
Have you seen a billboard in your area or on your commute?
E-mail a picture to  mail@prolifecampaign.ie 



The research was carried out on a quota controlled sample of 979 people aged 18+ between 2nd – 15th May 2012.

The first question reads:Just prior to polling day in the 2011 General Election, Fine Gael said it was opposed to the legalisation of abortion and experimentation on human embryos. It said that Fine Gael’s representatives would bring to the proposed all-party committee a clear commitment that women in pregnancy will receive whatever treatments are necessary to safeguard their lives, and the duty of care to preserve the life of the baby will also be upheld.  Would you agree or disagree with this commitment?Overall, of those who expressed an opinion, 80% agreed with the commitment and 20% disagreed.  In Connacht/Ulster which includes the Taoiseach’s constituency of Mayo, 87% agreed and only 13% disagreed.


The second question was worded as follows:Current medical practice in Ireland does not allow the deliberate killing of the unborn baby.  In a crisis pregnancy situation, the doctor has a duty of care towards the baby when intervening to save the mother’s life.  Do you consider that this ethical practice should be protected by law?78% of those who expressed an opinion said it should and 22% disagreed.  There was majority support in all ages, social classes and regions. 


Commenting on the poll findings, Dr Berry Kiely of the Pro Life Campaign said: “When the ethical distinction between induced abortion and necessary medical interventions in pregnancy is clarified in polling questions, the true strength of public opposition to abortion is revealed. The latest poll findings bear this out and are immensely reassuring from a pro-life perspective.”


Referring to the speech by Minister for Health, James Reilly in the Dáil during the recent Private Members’ Bill on abortion, Dr Kiely said,  “The Minister for Health’s speech alarmed pro-life supporters and he has a responsibility to clarify his position and that of Fine Gael”.


In his speech Minister Reilly said that the previous six governments had failed to legislate for the X Case decision but that the present Government “will not be the seventh.”In response to this, Dr Kiely said, “It is clear from the Minister’s remarks that he does not expect the “Expert Group” on abortion to list as one of its options ways of complying with the European Court of Human Rights decision in A, B and C v. Ireland, that afford legal protection to both mother and baby in pregnancy. This completely undermines Fine Gael’s solemn pre-election commitment opposing abortion legislation and pledging that “women in pregnancy will receive whatever treatments are necessary to safeguard their lives and the duty of care to preserve the life of the baby will also be upheld.


Legislation based on the X Case would amount to abortion on demand as the judges heard no medical evidence and set no time limits for when an abortion could take place. In addition the recent European court decision in A, B and C v. Ireland does not oblige us to introduce an abortion regime.


Instead of repeating pro-abortion claims, the Minister for Health needs to acknowledge that Ireland, without abortion, is the safest country in the world for pregnant women as recognised by the UN and World Health Organisation. The Minister also needs to clarify Fine Gael’s stance on abortion in light of his recent speech in the Dáil”, Dr Kiely concluded.


Thursday, July 12, 2012

English health service regulator finds 14 NHS abortion clinics flouting rules of Abortion Act 1967.



The Care Quality Commission in Britain has found 14 abortion clinics on the National Health Service breaking rules and also found "irregularities" at some clinics.
According to the Care Quality Commission, the 14 clinics were found breaking rules by allowing doctors to pre-sign forms authorising abortions, which does not comply to The Abortion Act 1967. The Abortion Act 1967 requires a form (HSA1) certifying that the requirements for a termination have been met to be signed by two doctors before the procedure takes place. The practice in the 14 abortion clinics meant that in reality only one doctor was making the decision.
The Care Quality Commission was instructed by the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to investigate the practice of pre-signed HSA1 forms. The inspections were unannounced and took place in March 2012. 
The inspections follow private investigations by The Telegraph in February 2012, which also showed doctors to pre-sign HSA1 forms. The Telegraph’s investigation also found abortion clinics were flouting the law by allowing women to terminate their pregnancies on the basis of the unborn child’s gender.
The 14 abortion clinics found to be in breach of the law are now complying with the Abortion Act, the Care Quality Commission says. All have now taken steps including internal audits and staff training to ensure continued compliance. 

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

One of world’s smallest babies overcomes many obstacles to go home from hospital this week.


Kenna Moore was born weighing just 9.5oz at 25 weeks gestation, making her the world’s fourth-smallest surviving baby. This week she will go home with her parents, Nicki and Sam Moore, after spending 183 days at North Carolina’s Presbyterian Hemby Children’s Hospital.


Kenna in intensive care


Dr. Rogers Howell, Kenna’s neonatologist, explained that Kenna was born in the caul. In fact, the baby, placenta and amniotic sac all came out together. As the placenta was detached, the baby was no longer receiving oxygen from her mother, the sac had to be opened and breathing tubes put in Kenna. At her birth, doctors did not know how long Kenna would live, as the survival rate for infants born at 25 weeks gestation is approximately 60%. Kenna has overcome hernias, abnormal blood vessel development in her retinas, and necrotizing enterocolitis to leave hospital this week after nearly 6 months of intensive care.  

Kenna’s mother, Nicki Moore, was diagnosed with pregnancy-induced high blood pressure when she was 20 weeks pregnant. An ultrasound two weeks later showed that Kenna had stopped growing. Her mother says “One of the doctors suggested that I consider abortion, but that was off the table”. She added that she hopes Kenna will help to inspire others who are going through similarly tough times. “By sharing the challenges we faced and this experience, we hope it will help people who are going through something similar and can't find any words of hope. You have to find something to hold onto and try to find the positive in everything.” 

There’s always the fear that some things could go wrong,” Nicki added. “But that’s with every baby, every baby that you bring home. I think that we’re really lucky because we have very strong support between the nurses and doctors.”
 And this Tuesday, after months of worry and struggles, Nicki and Sam got to bring Kenna home, what they described as “the happiest day of our life”.  

Kenna at sixth months, about to go home.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Mother refused abortion three times, gives birth to healthy baby girl


Carrie Chilvers was told three times to have an abortion. 


She refused, and it saved her daughter’s life.


Carrie and daughter Elizabeth, aged 6 months

At her 12 week scan at Colchester General Hospital, doctors told Carrie that there was only 20% chance that her baby would survive. They added that even if the baby did survive they would be severely disabled. Doctors recommended abortion to Ms. Chilvers three times. Although she was distraught at hearing the news, Carrie refused to give up on her unborn child and sought a second opinion. She then had wait five weeks before a second scan gave her baby the all-clear.

Ms Chilvers said: “If I had listened to them I would not have my beautiful baby girl. If I had a termination Elizabeth would not be here... I was told three times to have an abortion. They said there was only a 20 per cent chance when I gave birth she would still be alive and she had a cystic hygroma, a growth on the neck.”
Carrie was also told that if her baby survived, it would have Down's syndrome, Turner's syndrome or a chromosome deficiency. 

But Elizabeth was born in January, a 5lb 4oz healthy baby girl.  



Thursday, July 5, 2012

Liechtenstein citizens back Prince Alois who vowed to veto abortion leglislation.


Voters in Liechtenstein have vindicated Crown Prince Alois’ right of veto in all cases. 



On the 1st of July, 76% of voters in the country decided to vote in favour of upholding the Crown Prince’s right of veto in all cases.

This referendum was a response to Prince Alois’ statements in September threatening to veto the results of a separate referendum to legalise abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy.

The referendum on the prince’s power of veto arose after supporters of abortion legislation sought to curtail the prince’s power to veto referendums.

According to a spokeswoman Prince Alois intended his veto as a “clear signal that abortion isn’t an acceptable solution for an unwanted pregnancy.” 


Ultimately, the prince’s veto was unnecessary this time, as the measure to legalise abortion failed.