Calm needed in advance of abortion legislation says Connaughton

By Kernan Andrews

Politicians and the public should not make up their minds or pre-empt the forthcoming abortion legislation until they see the document’s wording.

This is the view of Fine Gael Galway East TD Paul Connaughton who said no decision can be made on what is a “highly emotive issue” until the wording is put before Dáil members.

Dep Connaughton estimates that the wording will be published within the next two months, with the proposed legislation coming before the Dáil for a vote in May or June.

“I would come from a pro-life perspective,” he told the Galway Advertiser, “but I want to wait for the legislation and then see what is to be done. Everybody needs to sit back and see what the wording involves.”

Dep Connaughton said there would be concern with Fine Gael, and the various points of view on the abortion issue, as to “how strong or weak the wording will be”. There would be a level of concern regarding any mention of suicide in the wording.

“The Government has decided to legislate on abortion and I have no issues where a mother’s life is at risk from medical reasons but I fear that including the threat of suicide could be open to abuse,” he said.

Regarding what he wants to see in the legislation, Dep Connaughton said he wants doctors to be “given whatever protections are needed in order to do their job without the fear of legal action hanging over them” and that women and children are “given the protection they need”.