The abortion hearings have been described as a "sham of an exercise" by a Mattie McGrath - who sat on the committee which carried them out.
The Independent TD, is a member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, which carried out both rounds of hearings into the abortion legislation, in January and May of this year. According to the Irish Independent, the Tipperary TD, said "It was a pointless exercise, completely pointless."
"It was the greatest sham of an exercise I have ever taken part in. It was a total charade, and a waste of people's time," he added.
Like many others, Mattie McGrath no doubt feels that the government is not listening to the evidence of the hearings where experts agreed that abortion was not a treatment for suicide.
If the government continues to ignore the evidence, then the country can see that Mr McGrath is correct and the hearings were indeed a sham.
Meanwhile, breakingnews.ie reports that the Fianna Fáil Chief Whip said that he made it clear to Micháel Martin that he was prepared to resign from the party if forced to vote in favour of the draft abortion legislation.
The party's Chief Whip Sean O'Fearghail does not support the inclusion of suicidal ideation as a ground for an abortion.
Deputy O'Fearghail said that he told Mr. Martin that the application of the whip would force his resignation.
"It became very clear from very early on in this discussion that people were absolutely convinced of the rightness of their particular position and that people were not going to change that view," he said.
"I wasn't going to change my view I made it clear to the leader…. I would very sadly have to part the Fianna Fáil party."
The Fianna Fáil leader is, for the first time in the party's history, to permit a free vote on the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013 when it comes before the Dáil.
The decision came after a parliamentary party meeting could not reach consensus on the measure.
LINKS
- http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/greatest-sham-ive-ever-taken-part-in-mcgrath-29309786.html
- http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/ofearghail-says-he-would-resign-rather-than-vote-in-favour-of-abortion-legislation-596193.html
Category | Abortion : Ireland
Published By | Life House
Comments on this post:
Comments(4)
phil kent on Jun 11, 2013 8:23am
Irish media are trying to stifle opposition to abortion. Don't be bullied or silenced by pro abort media. Boot pro abortion politicians out of office every time. Write, text, email TDs now.
Irish Citizen on Jun 14, 2013 3:16pm
Than you to Mattie McGrath Independent TD Statement by YD.
We know that the Government aggressive abortion dangerous bill must be scrapped immediately and must choose life to protect equally the life of mothers and unborn babies. Considering that our hospitals and doctors, nurses in Ireland give excellent care in pregnancy, are respected and regarded as safest place in the world for mothers and babies
Best way forward most importantly, would be setting up all life Parliamentary party committee at the Oireachtas and YD being involved on committee.
NI Assembly Stormont has their all life Parliamentary in place, it took quite a while to set up and it works well.
Joan OHare on Jun 15, 2013 1:00am
TD Mattie Mc Grath is right the Health Oireachtas committee ignores evidence of medical experts on the proposed abortion bill, therefore must be scrapped as it has no time limit of abortion being carried out, a baby would be killed up to birth, the clause of suicide is dangerous..grounds for abortion. Most serious is removal of 1861 ACT Offenses against the person stripes protection for all life and legitimates murder, drs are protected in law then, and turning them in to abortionists murders. The facts are the bill is inhumane and will not only increase liberal abortions but will hastens threat of euthanasia to be used on elderly, sick and disabled.
The YD must argue for a All life Parliamentary Committee to be immediately set up at the Oireachistis and be involved fully on committee.level.similar to the NI Assembly Stormont
Patricia OHare on Jun 17, 2013 7:26am
It is clear that there is need to have a All life -Parliamentary Party Committee set up urgently in the Oireachtas and vital that experts such as experienced Youth Defense included on committee panel, since they have proven experience on these matters, before we are too late to save mothers from abortion damages death of many many unborn babies on death row with this dangerous bill by Enda Kenny.
Stormont NI Assembly has this important Committee for some time, and has saved babies and mothers from abortion,because otherwise many unborn babies would not be allowed to live