‘Disability amendment’ proposal based on fears of workarounds

Proposals that abortion legislation ensure there are explicit protections for unborn children with disabilities are driven by the experience of countries where disabled children have been targeted on other grounds, an independent TD has said.

“From my discussions with people in countries where this has not been grounds for abortion, they have found a way around the system,” Michael Collins TD told The Irish Catholic, noting that while the Government’s proposed abortion legislation does not permit disability as a grounds for termi   nation it nonetheless offers no specific protections.

“That is something that is a worry to us and it is something that can be clarified in discussions. It is vital to ensure that we put something in there to be sure that we look after the people that would have disabilities,” the Cork South West TD said.

In line with a Government commitment that abortions will be legal without specific indication in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, something that an RTÉ exit poll suggests is backed by just 52% of voters, Health Minister Simon Harris has signalled he will oppose the move by Mr Harris and other TDs including Fianna Fáil’s Mary Butler.

Mr Collins, a member of the Rural Independent Group (RIG), said there are no plans to delay legislation for the sake of delay, and that the decision of the people in the May 25 referendum must be respected.

Promise

“I have promised – and I continue to promise this – that I will not be holding up legislation going forward in relation to abortion after the abortion referendum,” he said.

“There was a very clear democratic decision made by the people and we have to be respectful for that.

“There might be areas where we would have concerns, and we want more concrete guarantees and on that basis we may put forward some amendments there,” he said.

Pointing out that while over 26,000 people voted ‘Yes’ in his constituency, he said there had been almost 15,000 people who voted ‘No’ there, “and they need a voice also going forward”.

Any amendments put forward, he said, would be “very focused on certain aspects and certain worries people have”.