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THE CHAIR OF the Citizens’ Assembly has moved to reaffirm its commitment to balance while discussing the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution following criticism from the anti-abortion side of the debate.
Supreme Court judge Ms Justice Mary Laffoy addressed the 99 members of the assembly this afternoon, saying that the pursuit of balance was “fundamental” to the work of the assembly to date.
Laffoy restated the reasoning behind the formation of the work programme and reaffirmed her commitment to having both sides of the debate represented as equally as possible.
“We have consistently tried to put the medical and the legal material before you in a factual, neutral and balanced manner,” she said.
“I have to say this balance can be difficult to achieve in such a highly contested and controversial area.”
While not directly mentioning any criticism, Ms Justice Laffoy appeared to be addressing complaints from the anti-abortion side of the debate that the programme of speakers wasn’t balanced enough.
Anti-abortion group the Life Institute said yesterday that the assembly had “lost all credibility” as it featured submissions from representatives of groups who carried out abortions.
This was in response to the assembly hearing yesterday from representatives connected with the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) – the UK’s leading abortion care service – and the New York-based Guttmacher Institute.
Yesterday, the assembly heard from Dr Patricia A. Lohr, an obstetrician and gynaecologist who has also been medical director of BPAS since 2007.
Lohr’s expert submission focussed on Irish women who travelled to the UK for abortions.
Response
Ms Justice Laffoy said today that the way in which the speakers were laid out was to ensure that the medical and legal perspectives of abortion were considered before any arguments for or against were put forward.
“I wanted you to know how things happen on the ground and I wanted you to know what the law is in practice,” she said.
“I decided to do this by selecting speakers who were highly experienced and experts in their respective fields but who had not expressed a viewpoint of opinion on the Eighth Amendment.
I also set out to ensure that speakers with connections to organisations which are regarded as promoting one side of the issue would be asked to present a factual narrative of the position on the ground.
They were asked in explicit terms not to adopt an advocacy approach.
This weekend marked the third meeting of the Citizens’ Assembly in dealing with the issues surrounding the Eighth Amendment. It will meet again next month on 3 and 4 of March.
Today, the 99 members of the assembly today heard arguments for and against abortion from an ethical perspective.
Look back over the stream from this weekend’s session here.
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A disgrace on many levels. Particularly forcing young people into poverty or emigration if not even suicide.
Just shorten it to a few simple words. “Gooddbye under 25s of ireland”.
Convinced now they are making the the books look good through mass Emmigration and death. Send one away. Drive the others to death. Shame on you kenny, howlin,noonan, gilmore et al
Couldn’t agree more! Talk about putting people out on the street!
The optimist in me wouldn’t allow me to think it but not I truly truly believe it
Its not all bad, I’m sure in a few years they’ll be invited back to another bloody Gathering.
10 million for Priory Hall and 10million for all other ghost estates. Hardly fair. Priory have it handy, mortgage paid off, rent paid for another year, and a second bite at property cheery. How many wouldn’t trade places with them?
They. Should put a tax of 70% on TD’s pensions
Why?
in my house EVERY DAY IS BUDGET DAY
I can’t be the only one who noticed the
“It should be noted that the rate for those availing of the Back to Education scheme is €160″
A whole 28 euro less than it should be.
Sneaky fecker.
Astounded at the amount of PR spin in that. News at one had great concise list – which is what we want.
Theres a job in wexford for him for christmas an elf all hes good for lets see how he gets on for 9€an hour the dirty mongrel.
Howlin’ at the moon, he’s a damn werewolf.
Howlin you miserable GIT
Shorter and more savage, less rounded and malignant than his accomplice!
If I remember right he yous to be a union official,a least that’s what they called them selfs.?.
Gonna be a tough year! Just hope we can hang on for another year till the next budget as that was promised by Enda as not to be an austerity budget! Fingers crossed but not holding my breath!
“It is in this context that we are extending the €100 reduced rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance to existing recipients who reach 22, and for new entrants aged up to 24 on or after 1 January 2014. The reduced rate of €144 will apply to those reaching 25 from January 2014. It should be noted that the rate for those availing of the Back to Education scheme is €160. It is in education and training that our young people should be.”
I understand that you can only access the Back to Education scheme if you have already been on social welfare for 9 months, and you have to be 24 to take a postgraduate course.
What is a 21/22 year old college graduate supposed to do? I mean, obviously emigrate, but I’d love to know what the Minister’s answer would be…
have your say