The Pro Life Campaign has said Sinn Féin’s decision to introduce a Private Members’ Bill to abolish the three-day waiting period before an abortion marks the latest stage in what it described as an “increasingly cynical political competition” among Dáil parties on abortion policy ahead of the upcoming by-elections.
Sinn Féin is now the third Dáil party in recent months to bring forward a bill seeking to remove the three-day reflection period, following earlier Bills from People Before Profit-Solidarity and the Social Democrats. The Pro Life Campaign said the succession of Bills from different parties points to a growing political scramble for the support of a small but vocal ‘pro-choice’ voting bloc.
Everyone can see what’s going on here. First it was People Before Profit-Solidarity, then the Social Democrats, and now Sinn Féin. Within a short period of time, three separate Dáil parties have introduced Bills aimed at abolishing the same safeguard. It increasingly looks like an unseemly political bidding war for the small but hardcore ‘pro-choice’ vote in the run-up to the by-elections. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Let’s be clear – this is not about protecting women. If it were, those seeking to abolish the three-day wait would first have consulted with some of the 10,426 women who attended an initial abortion appointment and did not return for abortion pills after the waiting period.
According to figures published by the HSE in response to parliamentary questions, 10,426 women did not return for the abortion after the three-day wait, having attended a first abortion consultation.
The figures provide compelling evidence that the waiting period continues to have a significant life-saving impact. These women matter and their experiences matter. The three-day waiting period gives them time and space to reflect before making a life-altering decision, and the evidence clearly shows that for many women this safeguard has made a profound difference. Those now campaigning to remove the waiting period never showed any real interest in hearing from these women before bringing forward legislation. That speaks volumes.
The Pro Life Campaign is urging members of the public to contact their local TDs ahead of the Second State Dáil vote to ask them to vote to retain the three-day waiting period.