Ireland legalizes abortion
July 12, 2013
In the early hours of July 12, following a marathon debate, the Irish parliament voted 127-31 in favor of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, which legalizes abortion in some circumstances, including when the mother says she is suicidal.
Only five members of the majority Fine Gael party broke ranks with Prime Minister Enda Kelly, who did not permit a conscience vote on the issue. In doing so, the five were automatically expelled from the party.
One of the five, Lucinda Creighton, 33, resigned from her post as Ireland’s European affairs minister.
“I think compromise is essential to any coalition,” she said. “I feel we've compromised on economic issues, social policy, and so on. But when it comes to something that is a matter of life and death, at least as far as I'm concerned it is, I think it's not really possible to compromise.”
In addition, Sinn Féin, Ireland’s fourth-largest party, suspended a lawmaker who voted against the bill.
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Further information:
- Dáil passes Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill (RTE)
- Abortion Bill Is Passed in Ireland (AP)
- Lucinda Creighton confirms she will resign as European Affairs Minister (Irish Independent)
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Posted by: Leferink557202 -
Jul. 12, 2013 9:55 PM ET USA
Intimidation, fraud, and fear mongering win in Ireland. God save us all.
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Posted by: Catawba01 -
Jul. 12, 2013 3:03 PM ET USA
God bless you Lucinda Creighton.
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Posted by: Lucius49 -
Jul. 12, 2013 2:43 PM ET USA
I noted the comment of Enda Kelly that this is the end of the influence of the Church in Ireland. In this I immediately thought of the Freemasons who are active agents in the back ground in the secularization of societies and hostility to the Church. Sad day for Ireland.
