Both you and I are incompatible with life, Ms Daly

Clare Daly TD

Last Tuesday, a pro-abortion private member's bill was defeated in the Dáil (the Irish Parliament) by 104 votes to 20.

The Bill, introduced by Clare Daly TD (pictured), of the Socialist Party, was defeated by 104 votes to 20. The bill was designed to allow abortion in the cases of babies with life limiting conditions i.e. babies who are expected to die at birth or soon after.

Patrick Buckley, Director of European Life Network Ireland and one of SPUC's UN consultants, says:

"There has been a persistent attempt by Clare Daly and her pro-abortion colleagues to legalise abortion of children with life limiting conditions, such as anencephaly and Trisomy 18 or 13 - children who are being callously described by Daly ond others as being ‘incompatible with life’.

"This most inhumane attack on the most vulnerable members of our society was perpetrated under the guise of women’s rights and it must be resisted at all costs. Disabled babies have a right to life, the most fundamental right, shared by all members of the human family."

In the event, the bill was deemed to be unconstitutional, due to clause 40.3.3. (the Eighth Amendment) of the Irish constitution which states:

“The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.”

Enda Kenny, the Prime Minister, had been briefed by the Irish Attorney General that the bill was unconstitutional and the cabinet as well as all Labour TDs were told to vote against the bill for this reason.

Clare Daly during the Dáil debate disputed the unconstitutionality of the bill and has called for a referendum to repeal the Eight Amendment.

Pat Buckley warns:

“It would be foolish to take comfort from the result on the basis that the government could not have voted in favour of a bill they had been advised was unconstitutional. There is no doubt that Daly mounted a strong campaign judging by the fact that many of those who voted against the bill expressed sympathy with its objectives, including the Minister for Health Leo Varadkar. Three members of the Fianna Fail party also voted for it, including the health and justice spokesmen. Daly’s approach ignores the hundreds of women who decide to give life a chance and allow their babies to live as long as they possibly can. It is also very hurtful to such women when Daly and her colleagues describe their babies as ‘non-viable’ and ‘incompatible with life’.”

I would add: "Incompatible with life", in this context, means a person will die, as does "non-viable". Just in case you don't know, Ms Daly, if you must use such language, both you and I are "incompatible with life" and "non-viable".

Comments on this blog? Email them to johnsmeaton@spuc.org.uk
Sign up for alerts to new blog-posts and/or for SPUC's other email services
Follow SPUC on Twitter
Like SPUC's Facebook Page
Please support SPUC. Please donate, join, and/or leave a legacy