The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) today accused the Taoiseach of scare-mongering in the run-up to the abortion referendum.
Speaking at the launch of the group's campaign for a No vote, IFPA Chief Executive Mr Tony O’Brien said: "He is scaring people into voting Yes, by suggesting that unless this referendum is passed, Ireland will be faced with a liberal abortion regime".
"This is playing politics with women’s lives and we hope that its does not take the suicide of a pregnant girl or woman, who has been denied an abortion, to make Bertie Ahern aware of the errors of his ways".
Last week, the Taoiseach warned that a future Government, including one led by him, would legislate for the X case in a move that would lead ultimately to "liberal abortion" unless the abortion referendum is carried.
He expressed strong personal opposition to a "liberal abortion" but said: "I believe if this referendum is defeated that that's what we'll have".
Mr O’Brien also criticised the Attorney General Mr Michael McDowell. "He is attempting to hoodwink the Irish people into believing that, if this referendum is passed, we will see closure on 20 years of referenda on this abortion," said Mr O’Brien.