Update – 26/10/11
Statement from Presidential candidate Seán Gallagher to the Pro Life Campaign, received on 26th October 2011:
Like most Irish people, I believe every new human life is precious and entitled to protection. But just as strongly, I believe that women are entitled to receive all necessary medical treatments when pregnant. I believe there’s the world of difference between interventions like these and abortion. Click here to read full statement
Declared positions of other candidates
Dana Rosemary Scallon has always expressed her opposition to abortion and supports legal protection for human embryos.
Gay Mitchell was a founder of the Human Dignity group in the European Parliament, which promotes respect for human life at all stages. He has an excellent voting record on life issues in the European Parliament.
Mary Davis responded to the Pro Life Campaign that she supports Constitutional protection for the unborn and supports legal protection for human embryos.
Martin McGuinness did not respond to the Pro Life Campaign. Some Sinn Féin TDs have in recent times given personal pro-life commitments to the Pro Life Campaign but the party as a whole has not.
Michael D Higgins and David Norris did not reply to the Pro Life Campaign. Both candidates support legislation for abortion based on the X case ruling. That decision heard no medical evidence and set no time limits for when an abortion can take place in pregnancy. If legislated for, it would de facto allow for abortion on demand.
