Press Release: Bacik Welcomes Government Announcement on X Case Legislation
18 December 2012
STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK
Labour Seanad group leader
Tuesday, 18th December 2012
BACIK WELCOMES GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ON X CASE LEGISLATION
Senator Ivana Bacik today expressed a strong welcome for the Government announcement that legislation and regulations would be introduced in the new year to implement the X case decision, following the Expert Group report on how to comply with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the ABC case.
“Following the ABC case judgment two years ago, when the European Court ruled that we must have greater clarity in our law concerning the implementation of the X case test, it was always clear that the best way to do this would be through passing legislation to ensure that the right to a life-saving abortion is put into effect. I am delighted that the Government has finally committed to introducing legislation now, as Labour has recommended for some years, to provide clarity about the conditions under which the X case judgment may be implemented by doctors.
“The tragic death of Savita Halappanavar has emphasised the need for this legislation. I urge the Government to proceed to draft and introduce the bill without any further delay and once again greatly welcome this decision. We must act swiftly to ensure that pregnant women have access to necessary life-saving medical treatment. We have waited 20 years for this law – it is long overdue.”
ENDS