The Life Institute has said that it has 'serious concerns' regarding the appointment of Professor Sabaratnam Arulkumaran to lead the inquiry into the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar, given that Dr Arulkumaran has previously written that countries who restrict abortion should be 'challenged'.
In a paper published in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics in 2009 he also favoured "liberal abortion laws" which make "choice of a termination of pregnancy a right for women".
Professor Arulkumaran wrote that: "Termination of pregnancy is a sensitive issue in many parts of the world because of religious, cultural, social, and traditional beliefs. We would like to challenge and encourage societies and countries with restrictive abortion laws to look at the evidence available in favor of liberal abortions laws and debate the possibility of making the choice of termination of pregnancy a legal right for women."
A separate abstract he co-authored, Professor Arulkumaran also opposed the requirement of parental consent for underage abortion. " Girls below 16 years of age are able to consent or decline termination of pregnancy if they are able to reach an informed decision regarding the situation," they wrote, adding that if the girl "understands the nature of the treatment required and the potential consequences of not telling her mother, and is clear that she does not want her mother to be told, the principle of respect for autonomy overrules the principle that her confidentiality must be respected."
Professor Arulkumaran will chair a seven-member investigating team which will examine the clinical care provided to Ms Halappanavar.
Niamh Uí Bhriain of the Life Institute said that it was a grave error on behalf of the government to appoint someone to the inquiry who had such strong views favouring abortion.
"This inquiry needs to have credibility; it needs to be independent and without agenda, and it is difficult to see how that can be achieved by appointing someone to lead the team who has clear bias in favour of legalising abortion. Professor Arulkumaran has published a paper saying that countries who ban abortion need to be 'challenged'. This makes him an unsuitable candidate for an inquiry into Savita's death, and this inquiry deserves the best candidate."
Ms Uí Bhriain said that if the government wanted the inquiry to have credibility it should immediately move to replace Professor Arulkumaran. "Will this inquiry be used as an opportunity to 'challenge' Ireland's pro-life laws," she asked. "That would be a shocking abuse of trust and public concern".
CONTACT: Minister JAMES REILLY, Health Minister, , . James Reilly Dept of Health: 01 6711026 Dublin North Constituency Office: 01 8901300
CONTACT: Dr PHILIP CROWLEY - National Director of Quality and Patient Safety, who established the inquiry Tel: 01 635 2000 or email
Category | Abortion : Ireland
Published By | Life House
Comments on this post:
Comments(10)
Pat Greenan. on Nov 20, 2012 10:47pm
We will all have to make our concerns known to the Government regarding this appointment. It now look like that the findings of this enquiry will be for pro-abortion law to be made legal.
carol on Nov 20, 2012 11:24pm
saw this on RTE just now. Well done Niamh, you were great, very clear and informative.
Rob on Nov 21, 2012 12:17am
Abortion, a woman's health issue? That is a lie!
With the woman's body and her wonderful and complicated hormones preparing for birth, all of sudden the baby is ripped out, while the body is still expecting and quite naturally directed to the launch of the new life.
What the Irish Times won't tell you is that there most certainly bad side effects to this. In one recent case I visited the placenta continued to grow, the body had not told itself that the baby was gone, and chemotherapy had to be started on the tissue which was irregularly growing. Any OB-Gyn that tells you that this is not possible is dealing in half truths. Any major Irish newspaper that fails to tell it's "loyal" readers about the New Zealand studies and others is dealing in half truths. Abortion solves "a" problem, and creates new ones.
Patrick on Nov 21, 2012 3:20pm
I live in the U.S. so I have not seen Niamh on RTE, at least yet (if anyone knows a youtube or other site where I can see it I would like to know, thank you). Pro Lifers should and must reject out of hand this latest effort (the appointment of a pro abortion activist to lead the inquiry) to subvert the democratic process and foist an abortion regime on Ireland against the people's wishes. The "appearance of objectivity" desired by the minister has vanished completely before the inquiry even starts. Not only that but the whole show has the appearance of badly concealed manipulation of public opinion in another effort to subvert the democratic process. And it further damages the credibility of the minister, already known for his pro-abortion leanings. I hope and pray the Irish people will not be fooled by the blatant deceitfulness and disregard for democracy shown by the pro abortionists.
Siobhán on Nov 21, 2012 6:54pm
Sent off two emails to Minister Reilly and Dr. Crowley just there. Thanks guys.
Damien Aylward on Nov 21, 2012 8:08pm
The fifth Commandment of God: Thou shalt not kill. Who is listening? Is there anybody awake? We are going to reap an awful 'whirlwind' if we persist on our present trajectory.
Joseph on Nov 22, 2012 1:53am
I've appreciated this forum to offer balanced thoughts to what the media, Irish Times, fail to share with their own "loyal" readers.
Now I must say to those people in Irish Media: I fear for your souls. You've blinded yourself, and lost your way. I know that's easy to do. But I literally shake and fear for your soul. You are making a gigantic mistake. You simply dont have the right to take the life of another. I'm so afraid for you and I'm sad that some will actually lose heaven.
Therese on Nov 22, 2012 11:33pm
I feel very sad for Savita's husband who is being so badly used by the pro-abortion campaigners. They don't care about the pain being suffered by him and his family, all they care about is using his pain to get abortion into this country.
Michael Mc Caffrey on Nov 26, 2012 9:02am
To whom concerned,
I wish to put in writing my strong objection to the very thought of “Abortion” even being considered here in Ireland.
We should all take pride in the fact that we have been and continue to be the leaders in world society in upholding God’s will in protecting life and the life of the unborn and should be a shining example for all nations to consider the errors of their ways. It takes great courage and leadership to do this and to stay on the right path when all around us try their best to put us astray.
henri m on Nov 26, 2012 9:11am
just heard on RTE that there hasn't been a maternal death for 17 YEARS before Satiya's tragic death, in Galway Hospital . Great tribute to all the marvellous medical staff involved. Well done all Irish medics. Spare a thought for poor Sativa's medical team.
This fact gives the lie to the pro abortion lie that women in Irish hospitals are constantly at risk.
Note how shrill, shouting pro aborts, in media and politics, are hijacking poor Sativa's very sad, but, thankfully, rare death, and her name and image, to drive their ultimate abortion on demand agenda.
Sativa and Praveen came to the Irish maternal healthcare system, because, as Praveen told the Irish media (little reported, of course) that Irish healthcare was tops in the world (top 3).
Local , and European, elections approach. Vote pro aborts out. Withdraw your money and ads from their media cheerleaders. Spend with prolife media instead.
Abortion on demand is the pro aborts ultimate aim. Poor Sativa's death is just their stepping stone in their campaign. Lobby your politicians now.