Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS offered a woman €30,000 in compensation because she was forced to travel abroad to have an abortion.
Amanda Mellet was 21 weeks pregnant in 2011 when she was told the foetus had congenital defects meaning it would die in the womb or shortly after birth.
Mellet chose to travel to the UK to have a termination, staying there for only 12 hours because that was all she could afford.
In June, the UN’s Human Rights Commission ruled that Ireland had subjected Mellet to “discrimination and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment” because of its laws against abortion.
It found that the State was obliged to provide compensation to Mellet, who has spoken previously about the “heartbreaking” loss she felt losing the child she named Aoife.
Minister for Health Simon Harris met with Mellet and her husband yesterday evening to outline Ireland’s response to the UN ruling.
Harris has confirmed today that the State has offered her “an ex gratia sum of €30,000″.
An ex gratia payment describes a payment made that is not legally obligated.
Harris also said that he will direct the HSE to ensure that Mellet has access to “all appropriate psychological services.”
The UN had also told Ireland it was obliged to provide Mellet with psychological treatment.
Ireland has until next Tuesday to respond to the UN committee and detail the steps it intends to take to ensure it is complaint under human rights law.
In his statement, Harris says that Ireland’s response to the committee will outline the constitutional protection of the unborn under Irish law and the establishment of the Citizens’ Assembly to consider whether this should be changed.
The Health Minister previously outlined his view that his is in favour of a referendum so that people who have never voted on the Eighth Amendment have an opportunity to do so.
The minister also said that he found Mellet’s particular case “deeply upsetting”.
In a statement this afternoon, Mellet said that the minister offered her a personal apology and that she is “immensely grateful”:
I am immensely grateful to Minister Harris for his personal apology to me last night and offer of compensation and counselling. It goes a long way towards closure for what was the most painful chapter of my life.I am hopeful that ensuring the legal change outlined by the UN Committee will now be the government’s next step
“I personally will not feel able to move on while knowing that other women continue to have to leave this country to access reproductive health services,” she added.
Heartened
Amnesty International has welcomed the offer made to Mellet saying that it showed the government “accepted the UN committee’s findings”.
“This response acknowledges the harm caused to women by the current law,”said Amnesty International’s Colm O’Gorman.
The government must now comply with the committee’s ruling that Ireland reform its laws to ensure that no woman or girl will ever face similar human rights violations.
“We have tentatively welcomed the Citizens’ Assembly process,” he added.
The Centre for Reproductive Rights has represented Mellet as part of her case and has described the government’s offer as “a symbolic step”.
“The government’s promise of compensation to Ms Mellet is a hugely important and symbolic step towards recognising the pain she suffered,” said Europe director at the centre Leah Hoctor.
“Women’s health and well-being are put in jeopardy when they have to travel to another country for abortion services,” she added.
Hoctor has also said that the government must “repair the wrongs” Hoctor experienced by “ensuring effective law reform takes place”.
TFMR Ireland, a group that works with people bereaved by fatal foetal anomalies, has welcomed Harris’ apology and compensation offer but criticised the timeframe being set aside to consider to recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly.
“There is no appreciation of the urgency with which this solution is required by all of the women and their families who continue to suffer these tragedies,” said TMFR Ireland’s Gerry Edwards.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Day 17 and still no baggage. Wonder what happens on day 21. Probably a list of excuses as to why we can’t be compensated
@Ger Power: that is absolutely terrible. With computer systems as they are, they should know exactly where it is and how to get it to you.
@Ger Power: know somebody who just asked could they go in and have a look. Found their bag straight away. Worth a try.
@Ger Power: Sorry to hear…….. Another annoying thing is that the airlines will probable generate more money on the back of this with everyone paying to carry on their 10kg bag to avoid it getting lost.
Checking in luggage really only works if you can get it back at your destination. If they can’t make that work then you should be allowed bring all your suitcases on board as if it was a military transport.
@Sean: And how is ment to be all stored in over head compartments. Please explain?
@Mark Dit: well it would work the same way it does in the feeder bus that takes you to the plane? they’d have to take out a few rows of seats first obviously to make space which would eat into their profits but that is their problem and not mine. If they are running a 3rd world baggage reclaim service as they clearly are that will be entirely in keeping with the flight offering.
@Sean: a few problems with that. first, they couldnt be arsed. second, a bus isnt the same as a plane, weight needs to be distributed somewhat evenly, baggage needs to be secured. Third, it would be some hassle trying to wheel a large 20kg/25kg bag onto a plane as well as smaller cabin bag. It will seriously slow down securing the cabin and delay flights…… Bonkers idea
@Paul Hedderman: of course it is but the current idea of putting your luggage in the hols and it not being there when you arrive at your destination is also bonkers!
I lost the bags under my eyes in Dublin airport
There’s someone somewhere sweating balls because they have a suitcase full of contraband up there.
Always check the other carousels before giving up.
Went through Dublin Airport recently and was waiting for my bag at carousel 6 where i was told to collect….waiting ages and nothing, everyone else bag came through. I met a couple of ladies who’d been waiting for 2 hrs for theirs and thought i might end up the same way. Went wandering along the hall to find someone yo ask and sure enough, 3 carousels down ,there was my bag?!?
I told the other ladies to do the same, the sorting system is all over the place.
@Dawn Harvey: probably full of vibrators.
I wonder if Trash Taste podcast ever got there 50 grand worth of camera equitment back from Aerlingus?
Day 15 of my mobility scooter in delayed baggage, possibly in Heathrow. Im disabled and not able to leave the house without it. Updates promised by Aer Lingus many times but not forthcoming. Also wondering what happens on day 21 when it will be considered lost by Aer Lingus.
The carmelites in Aungier St hold a novena every Monday night for people who have lost their luggage, apparently it’s very successful.
Well for some of on Holidays
@Betty O Sullivan:
Salty
(The sea on the costa, as well as your comment)
@Betty O Sullivan: Not the first time you’ve made that comment.
@Paul Hedderman: oh Shrup
@Betty O Sullivan: Oh bitter Betty is back.
@Franny Ando: oh Shrup ill give you a tick ear
@Betty O Sullivan: shrup betty. All the same don’t mind them. Very few on here have a sense of humour.
@Betty O Sullivan: You’re quite right Betty. There’s far too much of this Holiday nonsense going on. About time someone with descent common sense stood up and told it like it is. Well done Mrs!
@Paul Gorry: How dare you Sir insult the institution that is Betty! She represents a certain unwaivering attitude not seen since the 1980′s. More like her, I say!!!
@Betty O Sullivan: Give me a tick ear too Betty? I want it! No other woman can wear a floral dress like you, while holding that one-arm on the hip so nonchalantly. A fag in the mouth would complete the vision. The epitome of 1980′s fem. I love
@Paul Gorry: on here? It’s a comments section on a news website. I think your looking for the light blue app with the image of a bird?
Staff were let go during the pandemic who new what they were doing, then shock people wanted to go on holidays after being locked locked up for nearly 3 years.The baggage handling was outsourced to maximise profits
Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris has been notorious for losing luggage for donkeys years. The only time I had a bag missing for more than a day was when I flew into that airport, and then they sent me the wrong bag. I have never used a black suitcase since that incident. Thankfully I’d developed a habit of having essentials in my carry-on after having had friends whose bags were missing for the entirety of a holiday.
@Eileesh Buckley: yes…but lost with such finesse. It’s a pleasure to complain.
@Eileesh Buckley: we on Day 18 of lost luggage. We came back from 3 week long haul trip so hand luggage only not possible. My wife has had to buy new clothes, make up and a hairdryer since we got back. This is totally unacceptable. I sense an ongoing battle with AirFrance to either find our bags or get compensation. Our bag could now be at Dublin Airport but with no one giving any communication how are we meant to know? We don’t live in Dublin so are we expected to drive to airport to look for our own bag. Who will I send the diesel receipt to?
Two years ago I went on a flight and they were insistent that all bags including backpacks must be stowed safely overhead before take off for safety reasons. This year they are charging for overhead space so you can keep your backpacks at your feet. Making it up as they go along as usual. Same with the airplane mode instruction which is pointless and same with the inflatable life jacket and whistle schtick which has saved 0.00001% of passengers on downed commercial airlines since air flight was invented. Give me a parachute if you want me to survive not a whistle I have to blow on!
Unattended bags may not be removed and may not be destroyed
Not not not being sarcastic, honest in-jin. But it would seem some of our politicians are a little lost themselves. And if not, then certainly flustered. We know the main problem: lack of staff (if I’m correct?) ..so what’s the plan…man?
Why can’t they just temporarily tag bags with a tracking devices.
@ChadChaderson: cost way to much money to tag every bag
@ChadChaderson: Because that would be an intelligent practical thing to do.
Next time I’m flying I’ll be using one of those Apple airtag thingys.
have your say