Advocates Urging Irish Voters To Reject E.U. Treaty, Say It Could Lead To Changes In Abortion Laws

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 11 Jun 2008 - 8:00 PST

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Irish opponents of a European Union treaty Thursday are "playing on unfounded fears," including that the treaty could lead to changes in Ireland's abortion ban, supporters of the treaty have said, AFP/EUbusiness reports.

Ireland is the only E.U. country holding a vote on the Lisbon Treaty, designed to give the union a new organizational framework. If all 27 E.U. member states do not approve the treaty, it could "spell chaos" for the European Union, AFP/EUbusiness reports (AFP/EUbusiness, 6/9). According to the AP/International Herald Tribune, an "arch-conservative" Roman Catholic group called Coir, which means "Justice" in Gaelic, has said the treaty could force Ireland to legalize abortion, euthanasia, commercial sex work and some drugs (Pogatchnik, AP/International Herald Tribune, 6/9). "The Lisbon Treaty gives the European Court of Justice the right to make a future ruling on Ireland's abortion laws," Coir spokesperson Niamh Ui Bhrain said.

Diarmuid Martin, the Catholic archbishop of Dublin, has condemned claims that the treaty could lead to a change in abortion laws. However, the "seed of fear has been sown" among some Irish voters, AFP/EUbusiness reports (AFP/EUbusiness, 6/9). Polls suggest the vote on the treaty is too close to call (AFP/EUbusiness, 6/10).

Government and opposition leaders of Ireland's three main parties on Monday held a joint news conference urging residents to vote for the treaty, the Press Association reports. Eamon Gilmore, leader of the opposition Labour party, said, "Not one argument used by the 'No' campaigners, like tax or abortion, has stood up to the scrutiny of public debate," adding, "We are a party that battles with the government every day on policy issues, but we have to step back from the normal party political issues that divide us. This treaty is important for the country" (Hogan, Press Association, 6/9).

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