Groups in favour of choice plan to lobby

A campaign against a third abortion referendum, and in favour of legislation, is to be organised as a collaborative effort by pro-choice groups.

A number of speakers, in a discussion after the main seminar, called for an anti-referendum campaign at a conference introducing a book in which 18 Irish women relate their abortion experiences. In The Irish Journey: Women's Stories of Abortion the women's stories are followed by a chronology of the abortion debate since 1861 and information for women with a crisis pregnancy.

Ms Sinead Kennedy, spokeswoman for the pro-choice campaign, said her organisation is to contact Dublin Abortion Rights, Abortion Reform, the Northside Abortion Rights and the Irish Family Planning Centre to organise a campaign to lobby TDs, march and raise the profile of the pro-choice lobby.

"Our campaign will put the question of legislation to TDs and campaign against a referendum," Ms Kennedy said. "At the very least we seek legislation in accordance with the Supreme Court judgment."

In 1992 the Supreme Court ruled that abortion was legal in Ireland in limited circumstances where there was a serious threat to the life of the mother, including the threat of suicide.

The director of the IFPA, Mr Tony O'Brien, agreed that a campaign against a referendum on abortion would grow over coming months.

He said the Taoiseach was "trying to induce amnesia about the X and C cases, but that anger is still there. A campaign will grow against any moves to hold a third referendum".

The four Independent TDs who support the Government have demanded a third referendum on abortion. The Government told them last month, however, that a referendum could not be pushed through until the all-party committee's report on the issue was published.

Ms Ivana Bacik, Reid Professor of Law at Trinity College and a member of the Dublin Abortion Rights Group, also called for a campaign in favour of legislation in line with the 1992 judgment, adding that she had proposed legislation which she could make available to the Government.

Commenting on the book of collected experiences, Mr O'Brien said it was important "because these women should be heard. We will be sending a copy to every member of the Oireachtas and just hope that they read them."

Twelve of the stories - the authors' names were changed for the publication - were read by a number of people including Ms Frances Fitzgerald TD, journalist Nell McCafferty, Hot Press editor Niall Stokes and critic Emer O'Kelly.