Bacik Calls for Strong Turnout at Vigil for Savita

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK

Labour Party Seanad leader and Spokesperson on Justice

Friday 17^th November 2012

BACIK CALLS FOR STRONG TURNOUT AT VIGIIL FOR SAVITA

Speaking following the news this week of the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar at Galway University Hospital, Senator Ivana Bacik said:

“As we reflect on the tragic and apparently preventable death of a young woman, in appalling circumstances where she was denied a potentially life-saving termination of her pregnancy, it is now very clear that the Government must legislate without delay to clarify for doctors how to implement the X case judgment. We need legislation to provide legal clarity as to the criteria for life-saving terminations of pregnancy or abortions. No more delays, no more inaction. The courts have spoken, the people have spoken. A young woman has died. This Government must legislate.”

Senator Bacik also called for people to turn out to mark the tragic death at the vigils that have been organised to mark Savita's death, saying:

“I am sure there will be a strong turnout at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin at 4pm on Saturday, where a march will be held to the Dail and a candlelit vigil will take place in conjunction with Galway Pro-Choice to grieve Savita's unnecessary death. The Labour party will be taking part in the vigil and I know many other parties, organisations and individuals will also be doing so. There is immense public grief and outrage about Savita's death – let's show that by turning out for the vigils nationally this weekend.”

ENDS