Burton’s comments on abortion law described as ‘hypocrisy’

Tánaiste Joan Burton’s commitment to “completely removing” the Eighth Amendment ban on abortion from the Constitution has been described as hypocrisy by People Before Profit.

The Tánaiste said on Wednesday evening that Labour was the only political party which would guarantee a referendum on the issue of abortion if it made it into the next Government.

Annette Mooney from People Before Profit described Ms Burton’s comments as “the definition of hypocrisy”, saying they were “a hallmark of the Labour Party”.

“Joan Burton and the Labour Party voted against Clare Daly’s Fatal Foetal Abnormalities Amendment Bill in 2013,” said Ms Mooney.

“Deputy Daly’s bill could have helped ease, a little, some of the suffering that is experienced by those who encounter the tragic circumstance of Fatal Foetal Abnormalities.”

Ms Mooney added that Labour had voted for the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill which carries a 14 year sentence for someone who takes an abortion pill.

“People Before Profit are for fully repealing the eighth amendment in all circumstances and we would welcome the removal of this odious piece of legislation,” said Ms Mooney.

“We support a woman’s right to make her own decisions regarding reproduction, including the right to free, safe, and legal abortion.”

Speaking at the Labour Women’s Nollaig na mBan event in Dublin on Wednesday evening, Ms Burton said the country had made significant progress on gender equality but that much remained to be done.

“Let me be clear: to attempt to deal with women’s reproductive rights in the Constitution was a bad idea in 1983 and it remains a bad idea today,” she said. “We want the Eighth Amendment completely removed from our Constitution.

“But we are also pragmatic - we know that in order to win a referendum we need to bring people with us step by step.

“We in the Labour Party have always stood up for women when it comes to their reproductive rights.

“We are the only party that will ensure that a referendum on the Eighth Amendment takes place.”