An Irish Examiner survey of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail Oireachtas members published today shows that only 25% of Fine Gael and 12% of Fianna Fail Oireachtas members support the proposal from the Oireachtas Committee to allow for abortion up to 12 weeks on request.
Commenting on the findings, Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger said that it showed ''how far removed the political establishment is from the general public on abortion rights.''
She cited opinion polls in recent weeks which showed that 60% of people support the proposal for 12 weeks on request
She continued ''Opinion polls have shown that 60% of the public support the proposal for abortion up to 12 weeks on request. We cannot allow conservative, backward politicians to hold back progress. Repeal of the 8th Amendment is needed now alongside progressive legislation. There is no 'middle Ireland' for politicians to hide behind.
''The Citizens' Assembly and then the Oireachtas Committee on the 8th Amendment, heard medical and scientific evidence for months. They both saw that abortion pills are widely used in Ireland and that the only logical next step would be to legislate for abortion up to 12 weeks which would cover 92% of abortions.''
She also challenged the Oireachtas members from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to outline their alternative saying
''The Fianna Fail and Fine Gael TDs and Senators opposing this need to be asked the question - what do they propose as an alternative considering that 5 women a day are taking abortion pills in their bedrooms? Just to continue to ignore these issues? Its clear that some of these Oireachtas members haven't even read the report of the Committee or didn't understand it and are arguing a case which has already been settled.''
She said that those opposed to the idea of a conservative Dail blocking the progress of legislation should join upcoming protests
''Politicians can't be allowed to hold back progress and ignore these facts. I would encourage people to join the protest which has been organised by ROSA outside the Dail tomorrow to mark the first day back and the other protests which are planned over the coming weeks. We need to tell them that we will not accept anything less than a referendum in the Spring and legislation providing for 12 weeks on request.''
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