Statement: Senator Bacik welcomes introduction of bill to provide for x case
13 June 2013
STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK
Labour Senator for Dublin University
Thursday 13th June 2013
SENATOR BACIK WELCOMES INTRODUCTION OF BILL TO PROVIDE FOR X CASE
Senator Ivana Bacik today welcomed the publication of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013, which will implement the X case and ensure compliance with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the December 2010 ABC case.
Senator Bacik said:
“The European Court ruled in the ABC case that we must provide an ‘effective and accessible' procedure for the carrying out of abortion where a pregnancy poses a threat to a woman's life. The bill published today will give greater clarity in our law for women and doctors. I am very glad that we are finally facing up to our responsibilities as legislators on this pressing issue.
“I am also very glad to see that the bill now published represents an improvement from the heads previously published in a number of respects. Improvements have been made to the definition of hospitals where abortions may be performed, and to the definition of psychiatrists, which was previously too restrictive. Finally, the definition of the criminal offence has also been improved as it was previously too broadly drafted. I am glad to see that these improvements have been made and look forward to the passage of the bill before the end of July.”
ENDS