08.11.2012: Senators discuss crisis pregnancy counselling services scandal, call for investigation

08.11.2012: Senators discuss crisis pregnancy counselling services scandal, call for investigation

8th November 2012

The scandal involving Irish crisis pregnancy counselling services giving dangerous and illegal advice to women was discussed yesterday at the first sitting of the Seanad since the story broke.

The undercover investigation which revealed the information was recently published by the Irish Independent.  The investigation carried out by a number of women showed how IFPA and HSE-run services were giving life-threatening advice to women.

In the Seanad yesterday, Senator Marc McSharry called for an investigation into the wrongdoing.  He said “very serious questions have arisen as a result of the investigative reporting by Independent Newspapers,” He continued; “In my view it warrants the minister’s personal attention and the Government should oversee this investigation.

Senator Catherine Noone said ‘I join my colleagues in expressing horror at the alleged dangerous or illegal advice provided by certain pregnancy counselling organisations in this country.  As a woman, it is horrific to think women are being advised to withhold information from their general practitioners, who would find it difficult to advise their patients properly without full information”.

The call for an investigation into the wrongdoings by the IFPA and others was supported by numerous other Senators including Senators Ronan Mullen, Paschal Mooney, Paul Coghlan, Jim D’Arcy, Fidelma Healy Eames, Labhras O’ Murchu, Paul Bradford, Michael Mullins, Diarmuid Wilson and Fergal Quinn.

The Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children was also due to consider this matter today.

Read the coverage of yesterday’s Seanad exchanges in today’s Irish Independent here

Read the coverage of the matter in today’s Irish Times here

Access the Seanad Order of Business from 7th November 2012 here