Responding to this afternoon’s statement from the Minister for Health regarding his commitment to introducing exclusion zones outside abortion facilities, spokesperson for the Pro Life Campaign, Eilís Mulroy said:
“For the Minister for Health to frantically issue a statement on a Saturday afternoon stating his commitment to introducing ‘censorship zones’ shows just how subservient he is to the abortion lobby.
“The Government should never have committed to bringing forward such legislation in the first instance. If enacted, it would represent a gross infringement of civil liberties and freedom of expression. Some abortion supporters appear to spend most of their time looking for isolated examples to demonise and unfairly depict the pro-life movement. The truth however is that pro-life volunteers are extremely peaceful and respectful whenever they assemble in public. To introduce a law that specifically singles out and targets pro-lifers would be a totally unjust and discriminatory move.
“It’s very obvious that abortion supporters are using this story to push for more changes as part of the three year review of the new abortion law. The focus of this review should not be about trying to create wider access to abortion but rather on finding ways to reduce the spiralling abortion rate and putting supports in place to provide positive alternatives to abortion. The Minister for Health has admitted he is talking to ‘stakeholders’ at present regarding the three-year review. It is utterly unacceptable that no representatives are included in these discussions who offer alternative perspectives to those who have overseen the rollout of the new law and the huge rise in the number of abortions taking place.”