There’s every reason to be hopeful that positive pro-life change can happen during the lifetime of the soon-to-be-formed government.

Concerns About the Draft Programme

While it’s regrettable that the draft Programme for Government lists as one of its goals ensuring that “all maternity hospitals provide equitable access to termination of pregnancy services,” it’s worth noting that this proposal had already been signed off on and put into effect by Minister Stephen Donnelly in the closing months of the last government.

It was also in poor taste and a sign of indifference that abortion was listed in a section of the document titled: ‘A Caring Society.’

Encouraging Omissions in the Draft Programme

What’s most noticeable about the draft programme, however, are the things not listed in it. Thankfully, there’s no mention of implementing the radical recommendations of the Three-Year Review of the abortion law. There’s no proposal to scrap the three-day waiting period before an abortion, and there’s nothing about expanding the grounds for late-term abortions, as the Review Report recommended.

The make-up of the new government, which includes several pro-life independent TDs, likely contributed to this outcome. Additionally, the way the Review’s recommendations collapsed under scrutiny during the Oireachtas Health Committee hearings prior to the election was another contributing factor.

For example, the deeply embarrassing admission by the Chair of the Review revealed that before recommending the scrapping of the three-day wait, she had never interviewed a single woman—numbered in the thousands—who availed of the three-day wait and subsequently decided not to proceed with an abortion.

Changing Political Landscape

A recent Irish Times editorial conceded that owing to the likely composition of the new government and the “bruising experience” of last year’s “Family” and “Care” referendum results, the appetite within Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for pushing the same agenda has been “dulled,” at least for the time being.

The Pro-Life Path Forward

Despite these hopeful signs, there are no grounds for complacency on the pro-life front. The pro-abortion side will use every means at their disposal to keep pushing for even more extreme life-ending laws.

Pro-life advocates must drive home the message that it’s time to take a serious look at the horrifying effects of the abortion law and Ireland’s soaring abortion numbers.

At the heart of government for more than ten years, abortion supporters have been given free rein when it comes to decision-making regarding every aspect of the issue. It’s time they were told to make way for pro-life voices who are committed to reducing the number of abortions and putting proper supports in place for women who would opt against abortion if such supports were visible and easily accessible.

A Unique Opportunity for Change

The possibility of delivering positive change now exists. It’s an opportunity that has been long awaited and must be seized in the coming months and years.

Some of the Independent TDs who are joining the new Government: (TL) Marian Harkin, (TR) Michael Healy Rae, (BL) Sean Canney, (BR) Noel Grealish