The Social Democrats have warmly welcomed the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment to repeal the Constitutional ban on abortion and legislate for termination without restriction up to 12 weeks.
Party co-leader Catherine Murphy TD, who is a member of the committee, said:
“The Committee’s recommendations are a very significant and welcome milestone for the country. We firmly believe that reproductive rights have no place in our Constitution and we will campaign with vigour for a straightforward repeal of the Eighth Amendment.
“We also welcome the committee’s recommendation for legislation to allow for terminations without restriction up to 12 weeks gestation. This is in line with our party policy going to the National Conference.
“I would personally like to commend my colleagues on the Committee for their diligent work in carefully examining the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly and engaging with the detailed evidence of health practitioners and experts. While the past 13 weeks of hearings were challenging at times, the committee’s work serves as a model of evidence-based politics and cross-party collaboration.”
ENDS
14 December 2017